Daily Readings - Tue Mar 17 2020
Daniel
25Then Azariah, while standing, prayed in this manner, and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire, he said34Do not hand us over forever, we ask you, because of your name, and do not abolish your covenant35And do not withdraw your mercy from us, because of Abraham, your beloved, and Isaac, your servant, and Israel, your holy one36You have spoken with them, promising that you would multiply their offspring like the stars of heaven and like the sand on the seashore37For we, O Lord, are diminished more than all other peoples, and we are brought low throughout all the earth, this day, because of our sins38Neither is there, at this time, a leader, or a ruler, or a prophet, nor any holocaust, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place of first fruits, in your eyes, so that we may be able to find your mercy.39Nevertheless, with a contrite soul and humble spirit, let us be accepted40Just as in the holocausts of rams and bullocks, and as in thousands of fat lambs, so let our sacrifice be in your sight this day, in order to please you. For there is no shame for those who trust in you41And now we follow you wholeheartedly, and we fear you, and we seek your face42Do not put us to shame, but deal with us in agreement with your clemency and according to the multitude of your mercies43And rescue us by your wonders and give glory to your name, O Lord
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 powerful lessons on mercy and forgiveness. The first reading from Daniel presents Azariah's prayer amidst the fiery furnace, a plea for mercy rooted in the recognition of sin and the hope of divine compassion. This prayer is not just a request for deliverance but a humble acknowledgment of God's covenant and the people's unworthiness. It highlights the importance of trust in God's mercy, even in the face of adversity.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the act of forgiveness. Peter's question about the extent of forgiveness is met with Jesus' teaching on the boundless nature of mercy. The parable of the unforgiving servant underscores the expectation that those who receive forgiveness must, in turn, extend it to others. This teaching emphasizes that forgiveness is not optional but a necessary response to God's grace.
These readings are interconnected through the theme of mercy. Daniel's prayer seeks God's mercy, while Matthew's parable calls us to extend that mercy to others. Together, they remind us that our relationship with God is deeply tied to our relationships with others. As we seek God's forgiveness, we are compelled to forgive others, creating a cycle of mercy that reflects God's love.
In our daily lives, this means letting go of grudges and embracing understanding. Forgiveness is not always easy, but it is essential. By choosing to forgive, we mirror God's mercy and foster healing in our communities. The moral lesson is clear: forgiveness is not optional. It is a cornerstone of our faith, enabling us to grow in love and compassion, just as God loves us.
May we, like Azariah, approach God with humble hearts, and may we, like the servant, learn to forgive as we have been forgiven. Let us strive to be vessels of God's mercy, transforming our world through the power of forgiveness.