Matthew 18:21-35
Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’
Reflection
We all need forgiveness. How much we all need forgiveness! We need forgiveness from God and we need forgiveness from one another. When need to forgive and be forgiven by God and each other. We all are in this same position. All...
And God sent Jesus to grant us forgiveness. God took the first step. A step that we could not take on our own. We need Jesus to show us how to forgive and to forgive us. Because... we all need forgiveness. So, in the act of Jesus upon this earth and in this place, his living, his dying, his resurrection; we have all been given forgiveness.
So now what? What are you and what am I to do with this forgiveness that God has graciously and freely given?
First is to recognize that I need forgiveness and you need forgiveness and we all need forgiveness. So we turn to God and repent. We repent and recognize that salvation is not through our own efforts but through the giving of Jesus life to us to forgive the sins we have committed.
Second is to respond to this glorious gift of God and praise God. A spontaneous response to the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Third is to boldly reach out in forgiveness to one another and seek forgiveness from each other.
After all... we all need forgiveness.
We can't back off from this. Forgiveness is not one and done. It's something we all need to do all of our lives. We all need forgiveness.
That's the way of the love of God through Christ Jesus.
So, we forgive and grant new life in the love of God through Christ Jesus.
Because... we all need forgiveness... and God has shown us how!
Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSl5KTc2D0o
Prayer
Lord, life knocks us down. Life presents twists and turns that we could never have predicted. But you have remained with us each on our own path throughout life. You have never given up on us. You have lead us through all the various life challenges set before us and put us together to live in unity with you and one another. In this life, may we as you have forgiven us, forgive one another. May we seek forgiveness and forgive, for it is the way you have shown us to live... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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