Sirach 27:30-28:7
Romans 14:7-9
Matthew 18:21-35

Forgiveness

All three readings for this Sunday teach us that forgiveness is essential if we are to live whole and holy lives. The first reading tells us that we must forgive each other for “wrath and anger are hateful things”. Paul tells us in the second reading that we are to live our lives for Christ instead of ourselves. The gospel message is the clearest of all when Jesus tells us we are to forgive seventy-seven times.

“Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” Peter probably thought he was being magnanimous by suggesting seven times. We may be like Peter who does not believe in frequently giving forgiveness to others. When we hoard our forgiveness, we risk not receiving God’s forgiveness. We are told in the Our Father that our trespasses will be forgiven to the degree we forgive the trespasses of others.

Jesus then uses a parable to teach about forgiveness and the depth of God’s love and mercy when we are open and receive God’s forgiveness. In the parable, a king settles accounts with his servants. The king shows compassion for a servant who is unable to pay on his account, but the servant, in turn, will not offer the same compassion to a fellow servant who cannot pay him. When the king hears of this, he revokes his forgiveness of the first servant.

For us as Christians, mercy and forgiveness should be central, should be a matter of the heart in all our dealings with others. As followers of the Christ, we forgive each other from our heart as we let go of the faults and failings that may have hurt us.

Often, our unforgiveness has negative effects on others. In my own family, I had two uncles who did not speak to each other, could not be in the same room together or a fight would break out. They both got along with my father, a third brother. They died before any reconciliation could take place so for years none of the families could be together at the same time. This was a huge loss for all the other family members.

The Responsorial Psalm Response should be the guiding principle for how we offer forgiveness to each other – “The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.” This is the model for all of us.

Is there someone in my life who has hurt me and whom I find difficult to forgive? How can I be open and receptive to that person? 

Who have I hurt over the years? How can I initiate an opportunity to offer my apology?