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 often must I forgive him?”
St Maximilian Maria Kolbe lived in a world that was filled with chaos, evil and hate during WWII. His biography is well known, his works, and his sacrifice in Auschwitz have been documented in books and movies. His primary teachings on love and forgiveness are exemplary. His life was entirely consumed by love- his love for God, Mother Mary, and every soul entrusted to him.
Through peace and love he ministered to the prisoners, encouraged others to pray the rosary, heard confessions, and shared his faith and trust in God. It was his simple humility, quiet joy, surrender and complete trust in God that the fruits of his faith were seen in his heroic act of taking the place of a prisoner, Franciszek Gajowniczek, destined for death by starvation.
His holiness reflected his daily “yes” to God’s will, accepting suffering and self giving.
In my life with family, work, fears and struggles have I shown my complete trust and faith in God? Unfortunately, the answer is…“No”.
The need is still there to be rid of doubts, anxiety, pride, quick judgments and anger. Never one to give up on His promises, I choose daily to offer up my time, forgive, trust and accept sufferings as the will of God. Each daily commitment to Him will produce fruits (maybe small ones), allowing God’s graces to grow in me.
What better example than St Maximilian Kolbe, “Martyr of Charity” to be simple, humble and have complete childlike trust in Him.
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