Fr. Paul AKINTAYO

 

Today, the readings center on forgiveness directly or indirectly. Forgiveness is a fundamental virtue and an essential command in Catholic doctrine. True forgiveness means surrendering the right to revenge and choosing to turn injury into compassion through the Holy Spirit. This means that there is nothing like forgive and forget. “It is not in our power not to feel, or to forget, an offence; but the heart that offers itself to the Holy Spirit turns injury into compassion and purifies the memory in transforming the hurt into intercession” (CCC. 2843).

 

Brethren, the first reading (Sir 27:30-28:7) is a profound wisdom text on the destructive nature of the vices of anger and wrath which the sinful person possess. Also, the text calls us to practice the virtue of forgiveness in order to experience the forgiveness of God when we pray. If we harbor anger and wrath against those who have hurt us, how can we have the courage to demand compassion and other favors from God whom we have offended?

 

The second reading (Rom 14:7-9) reminds us that as Christians, our living and dying, that is, our whole entire existence, must be for Christ and for one another. Unforgiving Spirit will make us to stop living for Christ and others. As Christians, Christ-like, followers of Christ, we are to be like Christ in words and actions. He came from heaven to earth, to show us the way to a good and holy life. Truly, He is the image of the invisible God, ‘who is good all the time’, and he taught us how to live out this image of God in us, by telling us to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34).

 

The Gospel (Mt 18:21-35) teaches that boundless forgiveness is required of believers because God has already forgiven them an unpayable debt. In the gospel, the position of the servant in Jesus’ story is absolutely hopeless. He owes the king so much that even if he worked forever, he would not be able to repay him. This is the strong point of the story. All he can do is plead for his mercy. Like the servant, how can we repay the Lord for all His goodness to us? Any time we gather to celebrate Mass or any liturgical celebration, we seek the mercy, graces, favour and blessings of God, unworthy as we are; and because we pray through Jesus Christ Our Lord, God will always bless us. In all, let us be merciful, perfect and holy as God Our Father is, by showing mercy, kindness and love to our brethren, even when they don’t deserve all these.

 

God, forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sinned against us; and bless us always. Amen.