Daily Readings - Tue Mar 14 2023
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 themes of mercy and forgiveness, inviting us to reflect on our relationship with God and with one another. The first reading from Daniel presents Azariah's heartfelt prayer, offered amidst the trials of exile and persecution. His words are a humble plea for mercy, acknowledging the people's sins and their reliance on God's compassion. This prayer underscores the importance of humility and trust in divine mercy, even in the face of adversity.
The Gospel from Matthew continues this theme, as Jesus teaches Peter about the boundless nature of forgiveness. Through the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus illustrates the inconsistency of accepting God's mercy while refusing to extend it to others. The servant, forgiven a great debt, fails to show compassion to his fellow servant, leading to his condemnation. This story highlights the moral imperative to forgive as we have been forgiven, emphasizing that mercy is not a one-time act but a continuous practice.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to examine our own capacity for forgiveness and mercy. How often do we struggle to let go of grudges or withhold compassion from those who wrong us? The readings remind us that receiving God's mercy is not a solitary act; it compels us to become vessels of that mercy. As we navigate our relationships, whether in personal or professional settings, we are challenged to mirror God's forgiveness, fostering understanding and reconciliation. Let us embrace this call to mercy, allowing it to transform our hearts and our interactions, creating a ripple effect of compassion in the world around us.