First reading: Sir. 27:30–28:7
Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight. The vengeful will suffer the LORD’s vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail. Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.
Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the LORD? Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself, can he seek pardon for his own sins? If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins? Remember your last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin! Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; remember the Most High’s covenant, and overlook faults.
Second reading: Rom. 14:7–9
Brothers and sisters: None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Gospel: Mt. 18:21–35
Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt.
“At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.
“When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt.
“Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”
In other words
Fr. Sonny de Rivera SVD (Philippine Central Province)
In this Gospel, Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother? Up to seven times?” Jesus replies, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” Through this response, Jesus calls us to embrace forgiveness without limits, reflecting God’s infinite mercy.
Pope Francis often shares stories that embody the spirit of forgiveness. In one of his anecdotes, he recounts the story of a woman who approached him during a confession. She struggled to forgive someone who had caused her deep pain. Inspired by Christ’s teaching, Pope Francis encouraged her to pray for that person each day, even if her heart wasn’t ready. Over time, through the power of prayer and grace, she found herself transformed, able to extend genuine forgiveness. The Pope emphasizes that forgiveness is not always immediate, but it is a process that begins with the decision to open our hearts to God’s mercy and the hope that comes from prayer.
In the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus illustrates the consequences of withholding forgiveness. A king forgives his servant’s enormous debt, yet the servant refuses to show the same mercy to someone owing him a much smaller sum. The servant’s lack of mercy leads to his downfall, showing that forgiveness is not just about others but about our spiritual freedom, which is the liberation from the burden of anger, resentment, and the need for revenge.
St. Thomas Aquinas provides a theological perspective on forgiveness in his Summa Theologiae: “When we forgive our neighbor’s sins, we free ourselves from a heavy burden.” Aquinas reminds us that forgiveness is not merely an obligation but a path to peace and holiness, aligning us more closely with God’s grace.
As Jesus concludes the parable with the warning, “So will my heavenly Father do to you unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart” (Matthew 18:35), we are reminded of the transformative power of forgiveness. It’s a power that can heal wounds, mend relationships, and bring us closer to God’s grace.
Today, let us reflect on who we need to forgive. Take inspiration from Pope Francis’ advice—start by praying for those who have wronged us. Additionally, consider writing a letter of forgiveness, or having a conversation with the person if it’s safe and appropriate. In forgiving others, we mirror God’s limitless mercy and draw closer to His kingdom. May we have the courage to forgive, just as we have been forgiven.