Daily Readings - Sun Sep 17 2017
Second Reading - Romans 14.7-9
Romans
7For none of us lives for himself, and none of us dies for himself8For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord9For Christ died and rose again for this purpose: that he might be the ruler of both the dead and the living
Gospel - Matthew 18.21-35
Matthew
21Then Peter, drawing near to him, said: "Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Even seven times?22Jesus said to him: "I do not say to you, even seven times, but even seventy times seven times23Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is compared to a man who was king, who wanted to take account of his servants24And when he had begun taking account, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents25But since he did not have any way to repay it, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children, and all that he had, in order to repay it26But that servant, falling prostrate, begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay it all to you.27Then the lord of that servant, being moved with pity, released him, and he forgave his debt28But when that servant departed, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarius. And taking hold of him, he choked him, saying: ‘Repay what you owe.29And his fellow servant, falling prostrate, petitioned him, saying: ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay it all to you.30But he was not willing. Instead, he went out and had him sent to prison, until he would repay the debt31Now his fellow servants, seeing what was done, were greatly saddened, and they went and reported to their lord all that was done32Then his lord called him, and he said to him: ‘You wicked servant, I forgave you all your debt, because you pleaded with me33Therefore, should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I also had compassion on you?34And his lord, being angry, handed him over to the torturers, until he repaid the entire debt35So, too, shall my heavenly Father do to you, if each one of you will not forgive his brother from your hearts.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound truths about our relationship with God and our responsibilities toward others. The second reading from Romans reminds us that our lives are not our own; we live and die for the Lord. This passage underscores our ultimate purpose and belonging to God, highlighting that every moment, whether in life or death, is under God’s sovereignty. Christ’s resurrection ensures His dominion over all, reinforcing our commitment to live in accordance with His will.
The Gospel from Matthew presents the parable of the unforgiving servant, a stark lesson on the necessity of forgiveness. Peter’s question about the extent of forgiveness is met with Jesus’ call to forgive boundlessly. The parable illustrates a servant who, despite being forgiven a massive debt, refuses to extend the same mercy to another. This refusal leads to severe consequences, teaching us that forgiveness is not optional but essential. It reflects the grace we’ve received and must pass on to others.
These readings connect through the theme of grace and responsibility. In Romans, we recognize our dependence on God’s mercy, while in Matthew, we’re called to extend that mercy to others. Forgiveness is not merely a suggestion but a fundamental aspect of Christian life, mirroring the boundless forgiveness we’ve received. As we navigate our daily lives, let us embrace the grace of God and, in gratitude, extend that grace to others, fostering a community of forgiveness and compassion.