Daily Readings - Sun Sep 17 2017
Second Reading - Romans 14.7-9
Romans
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
Gospel - Matthew 18.21-35
Matthew
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound truths about our relationship with God and our responsibilities toward others. The second reading from Romans reminds us that our lives are not our own; we live and die for the Lord. This passage underscores our ultimate purpose and belonging to God, highlighting that every moment, whether in life or death, is under God’s sovereignty. Christ’s resurrection ensures His dominion over all, reinforcing our commitment to live in accordance with His will.
The Gospel from Matthew presents the parable of the unforgiving servant, a stark lesson on the necessity of forgiveness. Peter’s question about the extent of forgiveness is met with Jesus’ call to forgive boundlessly. The parable illustrates a servant who, despite being forgiven a massive debt, refuses to extend the same mercy to another. This refusal leads to severe consequences, teaching us that forgiveness is not optional but essential. It reflects the grace we’ve received and must pass on to others.
These readings connect through the theme of grace and responsibility. In Romans, we recognize our dependence on God’s mercy, while in Matthew, we’re called to extend that mercy to others. Forgiveness is not merely a suggestion but a fundamental aspect of Christian life, mirroring the boundless forgiveness we’ve received. As we navigate our daily lives, let us embrace the grace of God and, in gratitude, extend that grace to others, fostering a community of forgiveness and compassion.