13.09.2019
TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR A)
Sir 27:30-28:7; Rom 14:7-9; Matt
18:21-35
“To err is human, to forgive, divine.”
Message:
The famous words of Alexander
Pope “To err is human, to forgive, divine” is reminded to us as we read today’s gospel
passage.
It is very difficult to forgive
someone who hurt us or caused seemingly irreparable damage in our lives. Like
for example, one who has betrayed us, looted us, maligned our name in public
etc.
In our gospel today, Peter asked
Jesus how often must he forgive, seven times? Jesus answered: “No, not seven-time
but seventy times seven times…”
St. Peter might have thought that
he was so generous in stretching the number to seven. But Jesus said: “No, not
seven times, but seventy times seven times.” In other words that forgiveness
must unlimited, that we should always forgiveness.
We need to drink clean water and
breathe fresh air. We cannot expect to stay healthy if we drink contaminated
water and breathe polluted air. When we are filled with animosity and
antipathy, it is like drinking dirty water.
Reasons to forgive others: To be
forgiven, we must forgive. First, we were forgiven first by God. Christ died
for us. Second, because if not, we shall not be forgiven (v. 35). If we are
harsh to others God also is harsh to us. Third, because we do not own anything,
we belong to God. Lastly, Christ gave us an example. He forgave Mary Magdalene,
the adulterous woman, the paralytic of Capernaum, the thief hanging beside Him
on the cross and many more. He even forgave His executioners.
Remember:
Loving God also depends
on loving our neighbour. So it becomes a trilogy of love: love for ourselves,
love for others and through this way we love God. Therefore forgiveness is the
essential element in our Christian life.
Act:
Today let us text a message
in WhatApp to someone whom we have hurt or with who we are not in good terms the
word ‘Sorry’.
(Please add your reflections and comments below)
Happy Sunday
Very reflective.
ReplyDeleteThank you.