Daily Readings - Tue Mar 22 2022
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 reflections on mercy, forgiveness, and the relationship between God and humanity. The first reading from Daniel captures a moment of profound prayer amidst suffering. Azariah, standing in the fiery furnace, cries out to God, acknowledging the sins of his people and pleading for mercy. He recognizes the justice of God’s judgment but also trusts in God’s covenant faithfulness and compassion. This prayer is not born of despair but of hope, rooted in the belief that God’s mercy endures forever.
The Gospel reading from Matthew complements this theme of mercy, as Jesus teaches Peter and the disciples about the boundless nature of forgiveness. When Peter asks how many times he should forgive a brother who sins against him, Jesus responds with a parable about a servant who is forgiven a massive debt but then refuses to forgive a smaller debt owed to him by another servant. The parable underscores the gravity of withholding forgiveness and the necessity of extending mercy as we have received it from God. Jesus makes it clear that forgiveness is not optional; it is a fundamental aspect of life in the Kingdom of God.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and with others. Just as Azariah humbly acknowledges the sins of his people and trusts in God’s mercy, we too must recognize our own need for forgiveness and turn to God with contrite hearts. Similarly, the parable in Matthew challenges us to examine how we treat others. Have we allowed the mercy we’ve received to transform us, or do we hold onto grudges and refuse to forgive? Forgiveness is not merely a feeling but a choice—a choice to let go of resentment and to trust that God’s justice will prevail. As we strive to live out this teaching, may we remember that the mercy we show to others is a reflection of the mercy we’ve received from God. Let us pray for the grace to forgive as we have been forgiven, and may our lives bear witness to the transformative power of God’s love.