Having in vain exhorted a certain nobleman to forgive one with whom he was at variance, he invited him to his private chapel to assist at mass, and there desired him to recite with him the Lord's Prayer. The saint stopped at that petition,"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us." When the nobleman had recited it alone, John conjured him to reflect on what he had been saying to God in the hour of the tremendous mysteries, begging to be pardoned in the same manner as he forgave others. The other, deeply moved, fell at his feet, and from that moment was sincerely reconciled with his adversary. The saint often exhorted men against rash judgement, saying "Circumstances easily deceive us: magistrates are bound to examine and judge criminals but what have private persons to do with the delinquencies of their neighbors unless it be to vindicate them?"
- Butler's Lives of the Saints for January 23, St John the Almsgiver
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