Daily Readings - Tue Mar 26 2019
Matthew
21Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?"22Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.23"Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.24When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.25And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.26So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'27And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.28But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.'29So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.'30He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.31When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.32Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.33And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'34And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.35So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful lessons on mercy and forgiveness, central to our faith. The first reading from Daniel presents Azariah's prayer, offered in the midst of a fiery trial. Acknowledging the sins of his people, Azariah humbly seeks God's mercy, not based on their worthiness, but on God's covenant promises. This prayer, born from a place of distress, reflects a deep trust in God's faithfulness and the hope of deliverance.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches Peter about the boundless nature of forgiveness through the parable of the unforgiving servant. A servant, forgiven a monumental debt by his king, harshly refuses to forgive a smaller debt owed to him. This parable underscores the inconsistency of receiving God's mercy yet withholding it from others. Jesus emphasizes that forgiveness must be generous and heartfelt, mirroring the mercy we receive from God.
These readings remind us that our experiences of God's mercy should transform how we interact with others. Just as Azariah and the forgiven servant received unmerited grace, we are called to extend such grace to those around us. In our daily lives, this means letting go of grudges, showing compassion, and embracing the humility to forgive, even when it is challenging. May we reflect God's mercy in our actions, fostering a community where forgiveness and love prevail.