How many times have we ignored a deeply hurtful offense, pretending that forgiveness is a passive virtue, only to find ourselves later ruminating over past transgressions? How many times have we hurt someone, felt remorse, but couldn’t bring ourselves to apologize and make things right? Christ knew that unless we strive to make real peace, none will be had. We can’t just appear to be righteous like the scribes and Pharisees. Like Jesus, we have to undertake the hard and courageous work of forging a cross of love.