Daily Readings - Sun Sep 17 2023
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 are invited to reflect on the transformative power of forgiveness and our relationship with God. The first reading from Sirach warns against the destructive nature of anger and vengeance, urging us to forgive others so that we may be forgiven. It reminds us that holding onto anger only leads to spiritual harm and that mercy is a gift from God. The second reading from Romans shifts our focus to living and dying for the Lord, emphasizing that our lives are not our own but belong to God, who through Christ’s resurrection, rules over all. This truth should shape how we live and interact with others.
The Gospel parable of the unforgiving servant drives home the necessity of forgiveness. The servant, forgiven a massive debt, refuses to extend the same mercy to another, leading to severe consequences. This parable is a stark reminder that forgiveness is not optional but essential. Just as we are forgiven by God, we must forgive others. The readings together highlight that our relationship with God is deeply intertwined with our relationships with others. Forgiveness is not just a feeling but a choice that reflects our commitment to living as children of God.
In our daily lives, let us examine our hearts and actions. Are we holding onto grudges or refusing to forgive? The readings encourage us to let go of anger and embrace mercy. Forgiveness liberates us from the chains of resentment and allows us to live in the freedom of God’s love. As we pray for forgiveness, let us also extend it to others, creating communities of compassion and reconciliation. May we remember that our heavenly Father’s forgiveness of us is tied to our forgiveness of others, and may we choose to forgive from the heart, just as He forgives us.