If there’s one important theme in today’s society, it’s forgiveness. Without forgiveness, a society fragments and eventually self-destructs. But what is forgiveness? For me, forgiveness is loving those who harm us. And, therefore, it is the most perfect way of loving.

Now, forgiveness has nothing to do with being kind. Nor does it have anything to do with forgetting. How can I forget the person who killed a friend of mine? Or how can I forget that person who tried to rape a relative of mine? No, forgiving isn’t forgetting. Forgiving is loving the person who hurts you. This hurt must be managed because, often, restitution is required.

Therefore, forgiveness is not at odds with justice. Forgiveness is at odds with resentment. Forgiveness is at odds with revenge, never with justice.

A just society is a forgiving society. Therefore, true justice ultimately leads to forgiveness. And forgiveness is never established in a society where there is no justice.