Daily Readings - Tue Mar 05 2024
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, forgiveness, and the profound relationship between receiving and giving. The first reading from Daniel presents Azariah’s prayer, a heartfelt plea for mercy amidst suffering. Acknowledging the people’s sins and their scattered state without a leader or temple, Azariah humbly asks for forgiveness, not based on their worthiness, but on God’s covenant with their ancestors. His prayer emphasizes contrition and humility, illustrating that true sacrifice is a contrite heart.
The Gospel from Matthew complements this with Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness. Peter’s question about forgiving a brother seven times is met with Jesus’ call to forgive seventy-seven times, highlighting the boundless nature of forgiveness. The parable of the unforgiving servant underscores this message: a servant forgiven a large debt refuses to forgive a smaller one, leading to condemnation. Jesus concludes that we must forgive from the heart, just as God forgives us.
Both readings stress the necessity of extending God’s mercy to others. In Daniel, the people, though sinful, seek mercy through humble prayer. In Matthew, the servant’s failure to forgive leads to condemnation, illustrating that receiving God’s forgiveness obligates us to forgive others. This teaches us to approach life with a contrite heart, acknowledging our sins, and generously extending forgiveness, transforming our relationships and communities.
The moral lesson is clear: forgiveness is not optional but a fundamental aspect of our faith. Rooted in humility and gratitude for God’s mercy, we must live out the mercy we’ve received. Let us embrace this call, recognizing our need for forgiveness and extending it to others, thereby deepening our faith and enriching our lives.