The Gospel according to Matthew 18:21–19:1

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?"

Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.' Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, 'Pay back what you owe.' Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart." When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan.

Reflection

How can we expect God to forgive us when we have not forgiven others? Would that be just of God to do so? What are we asking Him when we pray “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others who trespass against us”?

It is a difficult task when someone continues to hurt us.

Forgiveness is part of healing. You are releasing yourself from the shackles of resentment. Resentment is like leaving weeds in your heart and allowing it to strangle the sprouts of hope and love disrupting your spiritual growth. Its weight is so heavy as it wraps its chain around your head dragging it so that you can’t help but look down. As you forgive you release yourself of these chain and shackles allowing yourself to be free to look up and praise God for the wonders He has blessed you with that you could not see before.

Let us slowly pray the Lord’s prayer as we ponder on each petition we ask within the prayer.