Readings
I - Dan. 3: 25, 34-43
II - Mt. 18: 21-35
FORGIVE AND YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN
Forgive and you will be forgiveness is the crux of the Gospel passage of the day. Peter asks Jesus how many time to forgive the other. Jesus answers – seventy times seven and goes on to explain through the parable of the unforgiving debtor who was forgiven by his master for the amount quite higher than the that he had lent to his servant yet failed to forgive; beat his up and put him in the prison despite his pleading.
In his prayer taught to his disciples Jesus lays a condition for forgiveness: “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Mt. 6: 12). Jesus also says, “Be merciful just as your Father is merciful” (Lk. 6: 36). To those who brought the women caught in the very act of committing adultery, to be stoned to death Jesus said, “he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (Jh. 8: 7). Only when we become aware that we too are sinners needing God’s mercy can we be able to be merciful and forgive others faults and failings. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us a humbled contrite heart and help us to accept and forgive others”.
