Sunday, September 17, 2023
In my life I must have forgiven and forgotten numerous instances of being hurt, damaged, offended or annoyed by family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, strangers or even enemies. As I am sure others must have done the same for me and for my offenses towards them. That’s what we do as humans. We offend each other but we also forgive and move on. However, there are a few offenses that linger in our minds and hearts and we find it difficult to let go of them.
How much insult and injury must I bear before I am justified in not forgiving someone, being angry, or even in taking revenge?
Our readings for today taken from Sirach, Romans and Matthew’s Gospel continue with last week’s theme on the essence of being Christian. In the Gospel, Saint Peter asks Jesus: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?” (Matthew 18:21). On the one hand, Peter shows an awareness of forgiveness as being a teaching of Jesus and an attribute of Christian Living. On the other hand, by asking how often, Peter shows a lack of truly comprehending forgiveness. Perhaps he wants to know how long he must endure before getting angry, taking revenge, or exercising judgment on others.
Jesus helps Peter, and us, to understand forgiveness by using the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant. It takes immeasurable generosity and love to forgive great offenses. The true message of the parable is unmeasured forgiveness, not how great the offenses are.
In last week’s Romans reading, Saint Paul said that loving one another is the fulfillment of the law. Loving our neighbor as ourselves is God’s commandment given to us. Saint Theresa of Calcutta said: “If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive.”
Paul reminds us that we are the Lord’s. We live for the Lord and die for the Lord. Can directing our focus to God help us live a life of love and unmeasured forgiveness for others?
While text from the Book of Sirach is not directly quoted in the New Testament, it is abundantly clear that Jesus, Paul and also James among others echoed its words in the New Testament. Read what this last book of the Old Testament books on wisdom says to us: “Wrath and anger, these also are abominations, yet a sinner holds on to them. The vengeful will face the Lord’s vengeance; indeed He remembers their sins in detail. Forgive your neighbor the wrong done to you; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Does anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the LORD?” (Sirach 27:30-28:3).
As we begin a new week, let us keep the words from Sirach in our hearts: “Remember the commandments and do not be angry with your neighbor; … and overlook faults.” (Sirach 28:7).
Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord.