Today’s gospel is a continuation of Matthew 18 that we heard last week. The theme last week was Christlike conflict resolution or a Christian grievance process. I called it our Christian code of ethics. This week Jesus takes the matter much further. Not only are we called to settle our differences, we are called to forgive each other totally, unconditionally and from the heart.
In today’s gospel from Matthew 18:21-35, St Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus’ answer was staggering, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” Jesus then told a parable about a man who was forgiven a colossal debt but who in turn refused to forgive a very small debt. The man was turned “over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt.” And Jesus warns us that “So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart." According to Jesus, there is no statute of limitations on forgiveness.
As adult Christians, we all know that forgiveness is one of the keys to the kingdom. Yet so often we are like the sinner in today’s first reading from Sirach 27:30, “Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight.” Why do we do it? What is it about bitterness, vengeance and hate that is so addictive? To be honest, I don’t know the answer. But I do know that clinging on to these destructive emotions can enslave us and prevent us from living full, joy filled lives.
Tomorrow the Church celebrates the great Feast of the Exultation of the Cross. For us the Cross is one of the primary symbols of our faith. It is a sign of God’s unconditional love for us. It is our sign of hope. Without the Cross, there would be no resurrection, redemption or salvation. In the gospel for tomorrow, John 3:13-17, Jesus tells Nicodemus and he reminds us that God loves us so much that he “gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” Through His death on the Cross Jesus shows us the way to the Father, the way of humility, obedience and love. Part of the redeeming power of the cross is the powerful way that Jesus, nearing death, had the capacity to forgive. God loved us so much that he sacrificed his only Son for us. Jesus loved us so much that, not only was he willing to sacrifice his life for us, he was willing to forgive us.
O God, Most High,
you are slow to anger and rich in compassion.
Keep the memory of your mercy alive in us;
calm our anger and take away all our resentments.
Create in us a new heart,
formed in the image of your Son,
a heart strong enough to bear every wound
and gentle enough to forgive every offense,
so that the world may see
how your people love one another.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son, who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
AMEN
