Parish of the  Precious Blood

   September 17, 2017
    Matthew 18:21 - 35

   There is a temptation to quantify forgiveness as Peter tried
   to do, but Jesus' point is that forgiveness is not about
   quantity—the number of times we extend forgiveness to
   another. In the parable the king's forgiveness is like God's
   forgiveness, and it transforms us, helping us to be as
   forgiving as God. The lesson is clear: If we hoard God's
   mercy while showing no mercy to others, we risk forfeiting
   the effects of God's mercy in our lives.
   A few other servants tell the merciful king about the actions of the unforgiving servant. The king punishes the servant because he refused to show the kind of mercy he had himself received from the king. Jesus concludes by indicating that this is how it will be with God and those who refuse to forgive one another.
   The king in the parable decides to settle accounts with his servants. We are told that one servant in particular owes the king an enormous sum of money. Despite the promise of the servant, it is unlikely that he would ever be able to repay the debt that he owes. The king is moved by the humility of the pleading servant and mercifully forgives the debt. Rather than displaying gratitude for this forgiveness, the servant confronts a fellow servant who owes him a small debt—a pittance when compared with the amount that was owed to the king. The unmerciful servant refuses the pleas of his fellow servant and sends the servant to prison.
   A few other servants tell the merciful king about the actions of the unforgiving servant. The king punishes the servant because he refused to show the kind of mercy he had himself received from the king. Jesus concludes by indicating that this is how it will be with God and those who refuse to forgive one another.
   There is a temptation to quantify forgiveness as Peter tried to do, but Jesus' point is that forgiveness is not about quantity—the number of times we extend forgiveness to another. In the parable the king's forgiveness is like God's forgiveness, and it transforms us, helping us to be as forgiving as God. The lesson is clear: If we hoard God's mercy while showing no mercy to others, we risk forfeiting the effects of God's mercy in our lives.
                                                                                                Peace,  
 
                                                                                                Fr. Dave 
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      Reprinted with permission