Sunday, September 13
Matthew 18:21–35
At that time, Peter approached Jesus and asked Him: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how many times must I forgive him? As many as seven times?”
Jesus answered him: “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
For this reason, the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a servant was brought before him who owed him ten thousand talents. Since he had no means of paying, his master ordered that he, his wife, his children, and all his possessions be sold to repay the debt.
The servant fell at his feet and pleaded, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you everything.’
Moved with compassion, the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the debt.
But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He seized him by the throat and began choking him, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
His fellow servant fell at his feet and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you.’
But he refused. Instead, he went and had him thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
When the other servants saw what had happened, they were deeply distressed and went to report everything to their master.
Then the master summoned the servant and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you that entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have shown mercy to your fellow servant, just as I showed mercy to you?’
And in his anger, the master handed him over to the jailers until he should pay back the entire debt.
So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.” The Gospel of the Lord.
Commentary
If there is one thing our world desperately needs, it is reconciliation. If the language of war and revenge continues to grow in our hearts, the future will be filled with fear and darkness.
Through forgiveness and reconciliation, humanity finds hope. The language Christ brings is the language of forgiveness.
But how can an act of such a serious nature be forgiven? If forgiveness means leaving things as they are and continuing to endure injustice, then that kind of forgiveness creates room for injustice and tyranny to spread.
Christ's message is not limited to superficial forgiveness. His proposal is not something as foolish as pretending that nothing has happened.
Christ teaches that each and every one of us must recognize that we are indebted to God. From this first moment of reflection and self-awareness, it becomes possible to look at our brothers and sisters in a different way.
Questions for Discussion and Reflection
Am I willing to truly forgive, or do I only pretend to forgive?
Do I recognize my debt before God and before others?
Do I seek reconciliation, or do I hold on to resentments that prevent peace
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