Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 13, 2020
First Reading: Sirach 27.30 – 28.7
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Psalm 103
1Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.2Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-3who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,4who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,5who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.6The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.7He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:8The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.9He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;10he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;12as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.13As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;14for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.15As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;16the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.17But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-18with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.19The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.20Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.21Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.22Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Second Reading: Romans 14.7-9
7For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.8If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.9For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
Gospel: Matthew 18.21-35
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of forgiveness, mercy, and living in accordance with God’s will. In the first reading from Sirach, we are warned against the dangers of anger and vengeance. The author reminds us that holding onto resentment and seeking revenge only lead to harm, both for ourselves and others. Instead, we are encouraged to forgive our neighbors and let go of animosities, remembering that we are all fragile and in need of God’s mercy. This wisdom is rooted in the understanding that our lives are fleeting, and our ultimate end should inspire us to live in peace and reconciliation.
The second reading from Romans shifts our focus to the purpose of our lives as Christians. St. Paul reminds us that we do not live or die for ourselves, but for the Lord. Whether in life or death, we belong to God, and this truth should shape how we relate to one another. Christ’s death and resurrection have given Him dominion over all, and we are called to live in a way that reflects His lordship. This passage sets the stage for the Gospel, where Jesus teaches us about the necessity of forgiveness in our relationships with others.
In the Gospel, Jesus responds to Peter’s question about how many times we should forgive by telling the parable of the unforgiving servant. The servant who was forgiven a massive debt refuses to show the same mercy to his fellow servant, and as a result, he is handed over to suffering. Jesus’ message is clear: forgiveness is not optional. If we have experienced God’s mercy, we must extend that mercy to others. This parable challenges us to examine our own hearts and ask whether we are truly living as people who have been forgiven.
These readings remind us that forgiveness is not just a feeling but a choice—one that is essential for our spiritual well-being and our relationships with others. When we hold onto anger and resentment, we create barriers not only with others but also with God. On the other hand, when we choose to forgive, we open ourselves to the healing and freedom that come from living in accordance with God’s will. As we go about our daily lives, let us remember that we are called to be instruments of God’s mercy, just as we have been the recipients of it. May we strive to forgive others as generously as we have been forgiven, and may this forgiveness bring us closer to God and to one another.