13 September 2020. 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mt 18, 21-35
If last Sunday the Lord asked us to correct the brother who fails, today the Lord urges us to forgive him.
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. He who does it must pay. I forgive but I do not forget. Who among us has not at some time shared one of these feelings? We feel them when one of those who live with us does “some sort of deed” against us. We feel offended and a certain resentment takes hold of us. “You’ll pay for this,” we think.
When Peter asked in the Gospel “how many times must I forgive”, Jesus’ answer left no doubt: “seventy times seven”. And to forgive from the heart. Forgive and forget, as God does: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. “Today you will be with me in paradise,” he said to the good thief on the cross. Thus he asks us to forgive also. This is one of the commands of Jesus that is most difficult for us to put into practice. But we must bear in mind that when we ask God to forgive us, we must forgive our brother or sister: “just as we forgive”.
The first reading tells us: “The Lord will take vengeance on the avenger and will keep a close account of his guilt. Forgive your neighbour’s offence and your sins will be forgiven when you ask for it”.
May the Lord grant us his Spirit so that we may have a heart of mercy.
Juan Ramon Gomez Pascual, cmf
