Daily Readings - Tue Mar 14 2023
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 themes of mercy and forgiveness, inviting us to reflect on our relationship with God and with one another. The first reading from Daniel presents Azariah's heartfelt prayer, offered amidst the trials of exile and persecution. His words are a humble plea for mercy, acknowledging the people's sins and their reliance on God's compassion. This prayer underscores the importance of humility and trust in divine mercy, even in the face of adversity.
The Gospel from Matthew continues this theme, as Jesus teaches Peter about the boundless nature of forgiveness. Through the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus illustrates the inconsistency of accepting God's mercy while refusing to extend it to others. The servant, forgiven a great debt, fails to show compassion to his fellow servant, leading to his condemnation. This story highlights the moral imperative to forgive as we have been forgiven, emphasizing that mercy is not a one-time act but a continuous practice.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to examine our own capacity for forgiveness and mercy. How often do we struggle to let go of grudges or withhold compassion from those who wrong us? The readings remind us that receiving God's mercy is not a solitary act; it compels us to become vessels of that mercy. As we navigate our relationships, whether in personal or professional settings, we are challenged to mirror God's forgiveness, fostering understanding and reconciliation. Let us embrace this call to mercy, allowing it to transform our hearts and our interactions, creating a ripple effect of compassion in the world around us.