Daily Readings - Tue Mar 14 2023
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 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.