Matthew 18: 21-35
Peter approached Jesus and asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? 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 him 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."
Dawg's Thought:
Today's prayer intention - for an end to abortion and the use of contraception.
Early in my faith journey, when I first found out about Lent, I knew it as a time you gave up "stuff" (candy, excessive driving speeds, swearing, etc.) I once tried giving up swearing for Lent and, in the process, I collected $43 (I put in a quarter every time I *did* swear in Lenten season; hopefully I am much better now).
Giving up things to help you get closer to God is a great gift!
Yet, what if you worked so diligently to give up driving over the speed limit, but still would condemn your fellow brothers and sisters who were driving poorly? It sounds out of proportion.
What if we added to our Lenten sacrifice forgiving someone that we have a hard time with? What if we added to our Lenten sacrifice offering our sacrifice for the good of someone who we have a hard time loving?
"Moved with compassion, the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan ... "
Lord, purify our hearts
so that we too may be "moved with compassion,"
for though we know not what we do,
we can know Your ways.
Take care and God bless.
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