Jenna McDonald writes about interior freedom

Jenna McDonald writes that forgiving others is the key to maintaining peace of heart and achieving interior freedom. In an article for The B.C. Catholic, McDonald explains that the prayer of the Our Father links the reception of God's forgiveness to the act of forgiving those who have wronged us.

McDonald notes that while victims of violence or sin must acknowledge wrongdoing and grieve their wounds, they should bring these experiences to Jesus to help restore their identity. By forgiving others, people avoid remaining stuck in the role of a victim and release others from their own judgment and condemnation.

The article also describes the Sacrament of Confession as a way for the Church to bind up wounds and unload burdens. McDonald states that hearing the words of absolution provides sensory evidence of forgiveness, allowing people to separate their true identity from their past actions and move forward in peace.