First Reading - Joshua 3:7-17
Gospel - Matthew 18:21-19:1
The first reading displays a great sign of mercy shown by God for the people of Israel. Firstly, by allowing Israelites to cross the river Jordan under the leadership of Joshua and; secondly, by confirming His presence in the Ark of the Covenant, which was carried by the priests. The people of Israel failed so many times to meet the expectations of God but still God forgave them and remembered no more their offences. Eventually, allowed them to cross the river and walk on the land He had promised. This is a beautiful example of God's mercy which is unconditional and boundless.
The gospel of the day also punctuates with the theme of forgiveness. The theme of forgiveness is elaborated by the discussion between Jesus and Peter, but their discussion culminates with the boundless mercy of God and our duty to imitate the mercy of God in order to receive His mercy. The interesting part of the discussion jumps out at the words of Peter - "How many times should I forgive my brother, is it seven times?" The point of Peter was to attract appreciation from Jesus because according to Jews, it was fair enough to forgive three times but Peter mounted to five times. Naturally, he expected a few words of praises but his expectations didn't meet the end. Jesus demands more than the usual practice. He asks to imitate the unconditional mercy of God as narrated in the parable. The difference between the debt of the man and his fellow servant is shown so great (ten thousand talents and hundred dinarii - ten thousand talents is equal to 60000000 dollars and hundred dinarii is equal to 200 dollars) to show the enormous mercy of God in contrast to our reluctance to forgive others who offend or hurt us.
Dear friends, it is difficult to forget so easily the hurt feelings that we harbour. It's indeed very difficult to forgive those who cause such hurt feelings in our lives. However, the readings invite us to reflect upon our mistakes, failures and hurts that we have made and caused. They also might have caused pain and sufferings to some but we tend to ignore them because they cost us nothing. There are many sins that we might have committed that has offended God but God does not harbour them when we approach Him in sorrow. Similarly, the gospel exhorts us when it's our turn to forgive those who are sorry for their mistakes, we should be ready to forgive. This is how we can imitate God's mercy in our lives. It's then we can expect forgiveness from God who forgives us as Our Father says - "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those trespass against us."
Forgiveness is an outstanding Christian value and is our hallmark as Christians. Jesus taught forgiveness and showed this even at the point of his death by forgiving his executioners. We are Christians because we follow Christ. Hence, let's not forget to follow him in his forgiveness as well.
It's also said that the more we retain unforgiving hearts the more physically, spiritually and mentally handicapped we become because we are not liberated from the bondage. Once we forgive people for their hurt feelings, we become free and liberated.
Let's not be bound by the clutches of burdens of unforgiving hearts but live our lives in freedom as sons and daughters of God.
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