Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 17, 2023
First Reading: Sirach 27.30 – 28.7
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Psalm 103
1Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,3who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,4who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,5who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.6The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.7He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.10He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;12as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.13As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.14For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.15As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;16for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.17But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children,18to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.19The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.20Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!21Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!22Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Second Reading: Romans 14.7-9
Gospel: Matthew 18.21-35
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.