Putting on The Heart of Christ Through Forgiveness
Gospel reading for the 3rd Tuesday in Lent, Matthew 18:21-35,
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22,
Then Jesus told his disciples the parable of the king who went to his servant and demanded repayment of his debt in the amount of 10,000 talents. The king ordered his children and wife to be sold to provide the payment. The servant begged for patience forgiveness to allow him time to repay it. The king not only gave him more time, but he forgave him all his debt.
This forgiven servant then went out and demanded repayment from one of his servants to repay the smaller amount that he owed him. This servant likewise begged him for patience to allow him time for repayment. But, the forgiven servant did not forgive the debt of his servant, and put him in jail. When this was reported to the king, he called his wicked servant, and said to him ´I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ (Matthew 18: 32-33.
Jesus then told his disciples “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:35
Reflection: Our heavenly Father is very merciful. He has forgiven us our sins at our baptism and welcomes us as His children. However, He also commands us to give something in return. We will always be forgiven of any sins we confess to Him if we also forgive our neighbor. Thus, if we do not forgive, Our Father in heaven will not forgive us. We are given a wonderful gift in the sacrament of reconciliation. Through this sacrament we are reunited with God in His love. Lent is a time we focus on reconciliation seeking the mercy of Jesus. Putting on the Heart of Christ is a great book teaching the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius that will surely lead us to the understanding of love, mercy, and forgiveness.
