By Amala William csc –
Readings: Dan 3:25, 34-43; Mt 18:21-35
The readings of the day invite us to be kind in forgiving others. In the first reading, Azariah, the priest offers prayer before God by remembering the promise he had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
He confesses the sins of Israelites and reveals the expectation of God’s heart to people, that we need to meet the Lord with a humble and contrite heart. In the gospel reading, Jesus answers the question of Peter regarding forgiveness. Jesus responds to him “seventy times seven,” indicating the innumerable times that one has to forgive others.
He gives us the consequence of not forgiving one’s brother and sister. Ultimately, one or the other way, we end every day in sin. In a family or community, it is unavoidable. Coming from a specific cultural background, my upbringing in the family is different from others’.
Sometimes, I tend to go with my personal understanding of what is sin, and who deserves forgiveness. Often, I expect the others to be kind and forgiving of the mistakes I do. I take time to consider who deserves my forgiveness. The Lord wants me to get away from such an act, because he took all blame on himself for my sins, granted me unconditional forgiveness on the cross and through the sacrament of reconciliation. Yet, I hesitate to forgive the mistakes of others. Mt 10:8b says, ‘You received without payment; give without payment.’ On this day, we ask the Lord to grant us grace to see everything, as he would see, that we may embrace everyone with steadfast love and mercy.