The Repentant Recidivist?

In today’s Gospel (Luke 17:1-6), our Lord commands us to forgive endlessly.

If your brother sins, rebuke him;
and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times in one day
and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,'
you should forgive him.

A question comes to mind, however, that would be particularly sensitive for many:

What about the repentant abuser (spouse, teacher, priest, etc)?

Given the likelihood and dangers of recidivism is endless forgiveness appropriate?

The answer is "yes," of course (our Lord did not indicate exceptions), but forgiveness in our human sphere does not automatically include the total establishment or restoration of trust. Nor does it remove the offender's obligation (where possible) to contribute to healing. Forgiveness, however, makes it possible to start healing and perhaps even to build trust. Indeed, our Lord's mandate of continual forgiveness makes these processes more effective.

That being said, there are certainly situations in which a lifetime may not be enough to rebuild enough trust to overcome the applicable risks and dangers. This judgment, of course, should not be made rashly, but sometimes it must be made.

Yet even where trust cannot prudently be restored in this life and where protective measures must remain firmly in place, we must still forgive - in our hearts and in our souls - for our own sakes.