Tuesday 09 March Readings:
Dn 3: 25, 34-43
Mt 18:21-35
Theme: Willingness to Forgive
It is said that forgiveness is a choice
between choosing the wings of freedom and getting rid of the chains of
bitterness. It is easy to talk about the value of forgiveness but not so easy
to give expression to that value in our lives when the need arises. It is only
when we see forgiveness in action that we realize what a powerful reality it
is. In the parable Jesus told in today’s Gospel, the master had much to forgive
his servant but he forgave him generously. This same servant, having been forgiven
so generously, subsequently had very little to forgive someone else but refused
to do so. And as a result, the servant ended up in the prison with the chains
of bitterness of not realizing the grace of forgiveness that he had received
and the forgiveness he failed to pass on.
The parable suggests that God’s
willingness to forgive generously is not in doubt. What can be in doubt is our
willingness to pass on the forgiveness we have received to those who sin
against us. In today’s story which Jesus told, even someone who had been
generously forgiven a huge debt could not find it in his heart to forgive
another to a much lesser extent. In the gospel reading Jesus is calling on
Peter and on all of us to be God-like in our readiness to forgive. Jesus implies
that God’s readiness to forgive those who ask his forgiveness is limitless and
our readiness to forgive should also be limitless.
Bro. Anthony Peter
II BTh