Daily Readings - Tue Mar 17 2020
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 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.