Seventy-Seven Times! ~ A Reflection on the Readings of the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sir 27:30-28:7
Ps 103:1-4, 9-12 (8)
Rom 14:7-9
Mt 18:21-35

None of us live for ourselves alone. This is what Paul wrote to the Romans so many years ago. These words speak to us also, especially in light of Matthew's gospel in which Jesus responds when Peter asks the question, how often do I have to forgive. Jesus does not hesitate in saying, EVERY TIME!

Jesus illustrates his response with a parable about a man who owes so much money to his master that he is unable to pay it back. The master orders the servant and his family to be sold to pay the debt. However the servant pleads for patience and promises to pay the debt in full. The master is moved with compassion and forgives the entire debt.

But the story is not yet finished; for soon afterwards this man runs into a fellow servant who happens to owe him a smaller amount. The man insists on immediate payment. When his fellow servant is not able to pay the debt immediately, the unforgiving servant refuses to accept a promise for payment and has the servant put into prison.

What has happened here? The master has shown compassion but the wicked servant has learned nothing from the master's example of mercy and forgiveness. When the master learns of the situation, he summons the wicked servant: "Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?" (Mt 18:33) And he sent him off to the torturers until he should pay back all that the servant owed him.

There is a lesson here. If we expect God to forgive us, we must forgive others. The prophet Sirach reminds us of the same thing: "Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven." (Sir 28:2) Thus the answer to Peter's question of how often we must forgive, is:
EVERY TIME! AGAIN AND AGAIN! WHATEVER IT TAKES!


~ Image found here