TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020
Matthew 18, 21-35:
“Peter came forward and asked Jesus, ‘Lord, if my brother offends me, how many times must I forgive him? Jesus answered him, I do not say up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven”.
“That’s enough!” “I give you the last chance!” “I forgive, but I do not forget!”
These are expressions that we use with some frequency when we talk about forgiveness.
Imagine if the Lord also said some of these phrases to you and me.
At least as far as I’m concerned, I would have exhausted all opportunities long ago.
But the Lord is compassionate and merciful. He forgives up to seventy times seven. Which means he forgives all the time.
Lent is a time of mercy. Of God’s mercy and also of ours.
First of all, do not hesitate to approach the Lord asking for his forgiveness and his mercy. He will give you without measure, if you throw yourself at his feet like those people in today’s Gospel.
And secondly, practice mercy yourself. Do not be like the debtor of the ten talents.
Always grant forgiveness with the same mercy that God shows to you-as much as seventy times seven. That is to say, always.
Good day.
Antonio Maria Sanjuan Marin, cmf
