TUESDAY 9TH MARCH 2021
3RD WEEK OF LENT
Daniel 3:25,34-43
Matthew 18:21-35
GOD HAS FORGIVEN YOU, BE MERCIFUL TO OTHERS
The feeling of mercy and compassion towards other people can only be expressed by those who know what it means to be in the situation of the other person.
Sometimes when I get angry due to what someone has done to me or how others have treated me, I remember the fact that I have done similar or worse things to others in the past and they had forgiven me.
This is why as human beings, we should be able to identify with the struggles of others because we are not perfect ourselves. This reminds me of the words of the author of the letter to the Hebrews in talking about human weaknesses. He said that every high priest is taken from among human beings and is appointed to act on their behalf in relationships with God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins; he can sympathise with those who are ignorant or who have gone astray, because he too is subject to the limitations of weakness Hebrews 5:1-2.
As I read the gospel reading, I keep wondering how it was impossible for the servant who was forgiven his debt of ten thousand talents, to forgive a fellow servant who owed him as little as 100 denarii. When we think of the sins we commit daily and we have not been condemned and destroyed by God, we will find it easy to forgive others as many times as they wrong us and are sorry for their sins.
As we hear from the prophet Daniel in the first reading, the Jews were at a time punished for their sins and they became an object of scorn because they refused to repent of their sins. An unforgiving heart is like that of the devil. Jesus tells us that just as the unforgiving servant was dealt with, God will also throw out all those who refuse to forgive from their hearts. Many people are on their way to hell because of the grudges, anger and resentment they carry in their hearts.
Lord, help us to be in touch with our weaknesses and sins so as to be able to understand and forgive others when they wrong us. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP
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