Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Bible Reflections I 12.08.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Joshua 3: 7-10,11,13-17
II - Mt. 18:21-19:1
FORGIVENESS IS THE HALLMARK OF CHRISTIAN LIVING
Forgiveness is the hallmark of Christian living. In the Gospel reading today Jesus answers Peter’s query by exhorting him to forgive the offender seventy times seven, which means a complete forgiveness. In the prayer taught by Jesus, we invoke God praying, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Mt. 6:12), a conditional forgiveness. Therefore to be forgiven, one has to forgive. Forgiveness favours a bonding relationship that fosters fraternity, unity and communion thus realising the dream of Jesus: the kingdom of God.
“I can never forgive such and such a person”, “It is since so long that I spoke to him/her”, “Let me teach him/her a lesson by retaining my anger”, “He/she deserves to be punished” - these are some of the oft heard statements of the time that portray vengeance, arrogance, hatred, self-righteousness, pride and egotism of a person. Instead of extrospection if we introspect, then will we understand that we are offenders in need of God’s mercy and forgiveness. The bible says, “If You O Lord should mark our guilt, who will survive (Ps. 130:3). The world revolves in God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. Who are we then to magnify the mistakes of the other? When we are inclined to retain forgiveness and are prone to withhold forgiveness, let remind ourselves of the question asked by Jesus to the bloodthirsty crowd that brought the woman caught in the very act of committing adultery, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (Jh. 8:7).
Jesus says, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that you father in heaven may forgive your sins” (Mk. 11:25). We need to forgive, if we need to obtain forgiveness from God. Jesus had forgiven the torturers and the executioners who tortured and nailed him to the cross and had left us an example to walk his way. Let us follow the way of the Shepherd and set example to the world, as sterling Christians after the heart of Jesus Christ our Lord. Let our mind and heart resonate with this prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to forgive”.
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