Matthew 18: 21-35
21 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?’ 22 Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
23 ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25 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. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 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.” 29 Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. 31 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. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’
This special chapter in St. Matthew's Gospel sums up the Lord's teaching about community life and interrelations. In today's paragraph, Jesus describes one of the main qualities the faithful should have: to forgive!
The man who owed his master a huge amount of money is not asking for forgiveness but for more time to satisfy his debts. The master forgives him, even without punishment or sanctions. We know that it is not easy to forgive and much less to forget, but this Master shows a new way in life—to forgive and forget evil, to fight and overcome evil with goodness. Giving and forgiving is the way to internal peace. This is the only way to overcome hatred or revenge in a human's heart because the human heart was created for God. Unless God is present there, we cannot taste love and peace.
Healthy community life can never be obtained without forgiveness. When we feel that we are forgiven, in return we have to forgive as this Master did. If we don't forgive, how can we expect to be forgiven? The Lord wants us to forgive from "all our heart,” not just as a show from the outside, but as fruit of our faith and witness.
This reminds us of the Lord's teaching on the Mount of Beatitudes. Matthew 5:7 says “Happy are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Jesus’ responded to the Pharisees in Matthew 12:7, “Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice.” He goes much further as He makes mercy and forgiveness a condition for offering an acceptable sacrifice in Matthew 5:24, “Leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come and present your offering.” It is easier to run to the altar than to go and be reconciled with our neighbor, to forgive and be forgiven from the fulness of the heart.
It is not easy to forgive and forget without grace from the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit, we remain weak and unable to ask for forgiveness. With the Spirit, we can forgive and build up the community with righteousness and mutual trust.
Before standing in front of the altar, enter your own interior altar and check if you have forgiven your neighbor or you have asked for his/her forgiveness. With God, nothing is impossible!