Today, we are called to reflect on the theme of forgiveness. In everyday life, forgiveness is more often said than practiced because it is difficult and demanding and takes a great deal out of us. We draw inspiration from today’s readings from the Book of Ecclesiasticus, the Letter to the Romans, and the Gospel according to Matthew about the transformative power of forgiveness and the love that Christ calls us to embody in our lives. These verses teach us the transformative power of forgiveness, a fundamental expression of Christian love towards those who wrong us.
In the first reading, Sirach reminds us of the Challenge of Forgiveness. Anger and resentment are destructive. It is similar to embracing sin itself. But forgiveness brings healing. Therefore, he admonishes us to let go of grudges for the sake of our souls and in obedience to the will of God.
In the second reading, St. Paul emphasizes our connection with our Lord Jesus Christ. As Christians, our life is to be like Christ’s. We live and die not for ourselves but for the Lord, whose command is love, compassion, and forgiveness for one another. Since Christ is Lord over us, it compels us to mirror His radical love and forgiveness.
In the Gospel, Jesus painted that picture in the parable of the unforgiving servant of a Lord (king) who forgave his servant a huge debt he owed. But this servant, forgiven a vast debt, refuses to forgive a minor debt of another person. God is the king immense in forgiveness, and we owe an immeasurable debt of sin, forgiven through Christ’s sacrifice. Therefore, we must forgive without limits, as we’ve been forgiven.
In the Lord’s prayer, we say, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” If we seek forgiveness from the ever-merciful Lord, we should show the same to others. Forgiveness is central to our faith; it is a command of our Lord Jesus Himself. By forgiving, we emulate His love. Let us carry God’s forgiveness into the world.