Sometimes we talk about forgiveness as an extraordinary and heroic gesture, but for Jesus it was the most normal thing to do: being forgiven by God should spontaneously lead us to forgive others as he has forgiven us. In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus taught us to pray, saying: “and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matthew 6:12).
When St. Teresa of Jesus comments on this phrase from the Lord’s Prayer, she expresses her surprise by saying: “This is a matter, Sisters, that we should reflect upon very much” (Way 36:2). She admires the fact that in order to be forgiven by God, Jesus has imposed one condition: not that we do a lot of penance or that we pray a lot, but only that He should “forgive us because we forgive” (Way 36:7). If we don’t make an effort to forgive others, we won’t be forgiven by God either. A heart incapable of forgiving is impenetrable—even for God.
Silvio José Báez, O.C.D.
Auxiliary Bishop of Managua
Carmelite Quotes 
Goodness, that’s salutary! And if anyone knows about unconditional forgiveness, it’s this good Bishop!