“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Thursday, 17th August 2017.
Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Jos 3: 7-11, 13-17;
Ps 114: 1-6;
Mt 18: 21-19:1
FORGIVENESS IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN!
The Gospel today begins with a question from Peter about the number of times one is expected to forgive. While Peter proposes seven times, Jesus’ response far exceeds that proposal. The point is not so much about numbers but about forgiveness from the heart. If one has to count the number of times one is forgiving, it means that one is not really forgiving at all. The parable that follows, about the king who forgave his servant a debt of ten thousand talents and that same servant who would not forgive another servant who owed him a mere hundred denarii makes the same point. We expect to be forgiven by other when we do them harm after we have said sorry. We need to apply the same yardstick to ourselves when others ask for forgiveness from us.
Forgiveness is unlimited. It should become the continuous reality of one's life. Forgiveness does not make us weak, vulnerable, foolish or stupid. But it calls us to a higher order of being. First of all the Lord's life was a life of forgiveness. He forgave his disciples and his enemies. Most importantly, he forgave our sins and those who sin against us. So we ask him, as often as we pray the Our Father, "to forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." The world cannot survive if we seek only justice. There is no peace without justice and no justice without forgiveness.
Secondly forgiveness is not equivalent to forgetfulness; it is equivalent to holiness. Forgiveness is impossible without the grace of God. I can only forgive my enemies and brothers by an infusion of God's love for me - a personal experience of God's mercy towards me, and by a desire to forgive those who sin against me. Therefore, when I forgive, I do not forget what God has done for me.
Finally, forgiveness is not human; it is Christian. Today Jesus is inviting us to follow the same steps the Lord taught his disciples: Talk to the Father first; confess your part; Attack the problem, not the person; Sympathize with the other; Take the initiative and reach out to the one who offended you. There are no easy steps in forgiveness. Christ never said it would be easy to follow him. Forgiveness challenges us all. But it is what identifies us with Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, I do repent of my stubbornness of heart. I repent of my harshness and my lack of forgiveness. In Your compassion please do forgive me and fill my heart with your mercy toward others. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
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