Ecclesiasticus 27:30-28:7
Psalm 102:1-4, 9-12
Romans 14:7-9
Matthew 18:21-35
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS
One of the most difficult things to do as humans is to forgive. We are quick to ask God and others for forgiveness but often fail to forgive. Therefore, today’s readings help us to learn to forgive others after the example of God who does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults (cf. Ps 102). As Saint Paul reminds us, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died for our sins so that we may live for God. As such, it would be incongruent to ask God for forgiveness and fail to forgive one’s neighbour.
The gospel reading reports that, after Jesus’ teaching on fraternal correction, Simon Peter asks him: "Lord, how many times must I forgive the offenses of my brother or sister? Seven times?" Jesus answered: "No, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” In other words, we must forgive indefinitely, without counting. Then, Jesus went on with the well-known parable of the merciless servant. Compared to what the servant owed his master (ten thousand talents), the debt of his fellow servant (hundred denarii) was nothing. And yet, he failed to let go.
In the story, Jesus uses a very striking image, that of a prison, as if to tell us that an unforgiving heart creates a prison for its own. Anytime we fail to forgive, we cast ourselves into prison like the merciless servant. Yes, our inability to forgive hurts us more than anyone else. It builds up walls of bitterness and resentment around us. To forgive is therefore to free oneself from the self-confined prison.
Consequently, Ben Sirach teaches us that resentment, grudges, anger and vengeance are horrible things; they are like cancer that eats up the heart and lungs of the unforgiving person. Moreover, our desire for revenge blocks us from receiving God’s mercy. “Does anyone harbour anger against another and expect healing from the Lord?” he asks. Therefore, he invites us to control our anger, to avoid revenge and to forgive our neighbours for God’s sake.
Indeed, to forgive is not easy, especially when the hurt is deep. But we must remember our own weaknesses and nothingness as well as our need for mercy and forgiveness. Let us pray the Lord to give us compassionate and forgiving hearts so as to be forgiving like him. Amen
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