Daily Readings - Tue Mar 17 2020
Matthew
21Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.23Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.25But 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.26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.28But 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.29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.31So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.32Then 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:33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.35So 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 powerful lessons on mercy and forgiveness. The first reading from Daniel presents Azariah's prayer amidst the fiery furnace, a plea for mercy rooted in the recognition of sin and the hope of divine compassion. This prayer is not just a request for deliverance but a humble acknowledgment of God's covenant and the people's unworthiness. It highlights the importance of trust in God's mercy, even in the face of adversity.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the act of forgiveness. Peter's question about the extent of forgiveness is met with Jesus' teaching on the boundless nature of mercy. The parable of the unforgiving servant underscores the expectation that those who receive forgiveness must, in turn, extend it to others. This teaching emphasizes that forgiveness is not optional but a necessary response to God's grace.
These readings are interconnected through the theme of mercy. Daniel's prayer seeks God's mercy, while Matthew's parable calls us to extend that mercy to others. Together, they remind us that our relationship with God is deeply tied to our relationships with others. As we seek God's forgiveness, we are compelled to forgive others, creating a cycle of mercy that reflects God's love.
In our daily lives, this means letting go of grudges and embracing understanding. Forgiveness is not always easy, but it is essential. By choosing to forgive, we mirror God's mercy and foster healing in our communities. The moral lesson is clear: forgiveness is not optional. It is a cornerstone of our faith, enabling us to grow in love and compassion, just as God loves us.
May we, like Azariah, approach God with humble hearts, and may we, like the servant, learn to forgive as we have been forgiven. Let us strive to be vessels of God's mercy, transforming our world through the power of forgiveness.