Tuesday, 17th March

Matthew 18:21–35

Then
Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church
sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus
said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. For this
reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle
accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten
thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered
him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions,
and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying,
'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for
him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that
same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a
hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.'
Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me,
and I will pay you.' But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison
until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they
were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had
taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I
forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had
mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord
handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my
heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your
brother or sister from your heart.”

 

Reflection

It is very hard to forgive.  If we truly want to forgive, the first thing
that we should do is to ask God of the grace to forgive.  In my prayer, how do I ask for such a grace?

When
face the choice to forgive or not to forgive, go
and review first how I have been forgiven by our Lord God?