LISTEN: At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?” Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.
“The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.
“The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.
“The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, ‘Pay up. Now!’
"The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ But he wouldn’t do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.
“The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?’ The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy." Mt. 18:21-35
CONSIDER: While Jesus was on the cross, he revealed the inner heart of God's forgiveness when he said "Father, forgive them; for they do no know what they are doing" Lk. 23:24 We barely know ourselves and our own motivations. Are we really doing the best we can, or are we doing the best that we know how to do here and now? If you are reluctant to forgive someone yet again for the same offense, think of this: They may not know how they are to live without their sin. You see, deep down in our hearts and minds, our sin is the despair of someone trapped in darkness, not knowing how to become free, loved and happy.
SO WHAT: Compassion is the touchstone of being human. We care for our own. We feel their pain. Yet, we find it difficult to forgive. . . we find it tough to "walk a mile in another's shoes". . . we would rather make them pay for their sin. Somehow or another, that makes us feel more powerful, after all, we rarely see the log in our own eye. . .Christ has forgiven us, should we not forgive anyone who asks for mercy? Who do you need to forgive today?
PRAYER: Loving and forgiving God, help me to forgive as you forgive. Help me to not delight in my "unforgiveness". May I always feel the pain of others so that it will be easier to forgive. Lord, in your mercy, forgive me as I forgive others. Amen.
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