Daily Readings - Tue Mar 06 2018
Matthew
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.'27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?'34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of mercy, forgiveness, and trust in God. The first reading from Daniel presents Azariah's prayer in the midst of the fiery furnace, a moment of intense trial. Azariah humbly acknowledges the sins of his people, yet expresses unwavering trust in God's mercy and covenant. His prayer is not one of despair but of hope, recognizing God's faithfulness even in adversity.
The Gospel from Matthew complements this with Jesus' parable of the unforgiving servant. Peter's question about forgiveness prompts Jesus to illustrate the consequences of withholding mercy. The servant, forgiven a vast debt, fails to extend the same compassion to his fellow servant, leading to severe repercussions. This parable underscores the necessity of forgiveness as a response to God's grace.
These readings connect through their emphasis on mercy and forgiveness. Daniel's trust in God's mercy amidst persecution mirrors the servant's opportunity to show compassion. Both stories remind us that receiving God's forgiveness should transform our hearts, prompting us to extend mercy to others. In our daily lives, we are called to reflect God's compassion, fostering a culture of forgiveness and understanding. Let us embrace humility and trust, allowing God's mercy to flow through us, transforming our relationships and actions.