Readings
I - Sir. 27: 30 - 28: 7
II - Rom. 14: 7-9
III - Mt. 18: 2135
FORGIVE AND YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN
The love of the Lord is unconditional while His forgiveness is conditional. If we forgive our neighbour only can we expect our sins too be forgiven. Forgiveness is the central theme of the readings of the day. Today’s Gospel passage is about the parable of the unforgiving servant. To the question raised by Peter how often he should forgive his brother, Jesus says this parable highlighting the fragility of man and the generous forgiveness of the Father. In the same way, Jesus invites us to extend forgiveness to the one who sin against us, countless times, imitating the mercy of the Father that we experience in our sinfulness.
The bible says, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Lk. 6: 36). In the prayer taught by Jesus, he gives, forgiveness of neighbour as precondition to obtain forgiveness for ourselves from God our Father. Think for a moment that if only we are to be treated by God according to the weightage of sin, none of us would dare to exist on the earth. His mercy sustains, supports and gives us hope for another new beginning with courage, hope and enthusiasm. Let us project the same to others who offend us to prove that we are the children of the merciful father.
