Question 594
© Libreria Editrice Vaticana Source: vatican.va
Why do we say “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”?
Answer
By asking God the Father to pardon us, we acknowledge before him that we are sinners. At the same time we proclaim his mercy because in his Son and through the sacraments “we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14). Still our petition will be answered only if we for our part have forgiven first.