Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of
the Third Week of Lent (26th March, 2019) on the Gospel
Dan 3:25.34-43;
Ps 24:4-9 (R. v. 6);
Matt 18:21-35.
Topic: If you want then....
In today’s gospel Peter asked Jesus how often one is bound to
forgive his/her brothers and sisters. Jesus replied, “...seventy-seven times.” He
explained further using the parable of the unforgiving slave. The slave owed
the king ten thousand talents. A talent worth more than fifteen years wages of
a labourer. As he could not pay, he pleaded with the king for time. However,
out of pity the king forgave him the debt. But as the slave stepped out, he met
a fellow slave who owed him a hundred denarii. A denarius was a day’s wage of a
labourer. He seized him by the throat saying, “Pay what you owe.” His fellow
salve’s prayer for time fell on deaf ears. Just imagine the big difference
between the two debts.
The king summoned the unforgiving slave and said to him, “You
wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should
you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?” The gospel
reads further,
And in anger the king handed him over to be tortured until he
would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of
you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.
Think of how often we wrong God and run to Him for
forgiveness. And we know that He forgives all who come to Him with sincere
heart, cf. 2Chr 7:14; Jer 33:8; Ps 85:2; 1Jn 1:9. God wants
us to forgive others just as He forgives us, cf. Col 3:13. We must forgive as many times as we are wronged, cf. Lk 17:4.
Lenten season is not just a time of receiving forgiveness
from God but most importantly a time of giving forgiveness to others. Whoever
fails to forgive piles up his or her sins against him/herself, cf. Matt 6:15. 18:35.
Bible Reading: Matt 6:9-15; Mk 11:25.
Thought for today: You will be forgiven if only you forgive.
Let us pray: Lord, remove from us the heart of
stone and give us a new heart of flesh and a new spirit to enable us forgive
others (cf. Ezek 36:26) – Amen.
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