FROM THE PULPIT TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A. SCRIPTURE: Sirach 27: 30-28:7; Romans 14: 7-9; Matthew 18: 21-35. REFLECTIONS: Forgiveness heals and renews. Fr. Benoit Mukamba, CSSp.
“Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?”.
I remember my days in grade schools that our rule of forgiveness used to be limited to three times. Beyond three times it turned physical. Even after exchanging blows and wrestling with each other, the elders among us would separate the fighting parties, give them quick advice and make them shake hands as signs of reconciliation. This meant a return to forgiveness and a relationship of respect and mutual love began. Forgiveness heals and renews both parties. In his question, Peter wanted to confirm whether seven times could be the perfect way to forgive a fellow brother. Maybe, Jesus thought it quickly to the end process. After seven times, Peter would do what? Hold a perpetual grudge? That wouldn’t be good for his health and personality. Would Peter pass to vengeance? Vengeance is mine and I will take it, says the Lord (Deuteronomy 32: 35; Romans 12: 19). After all, Peter will not be assured of winning. And even if Peter did, such a process will leave parties in harm and arrogance. Therefore, the perfect way of forgiving is forgiving always. “Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” Only forgiveness can bring both the offender and the offended to healing of their wounds and renewal of their interior-self and relationships.
Forgiveness, according to St. John Paul, is primarily a personal choice that has a “divine source and criterion” urging us“ to go against the natural instinct to pay back evil with evil.”(John Paul II, “No Peace without Justice, No Justice without Forgiveness," § 8.) Forgiveness does not mean forgetfulness but letting go one’s own feeling of hurt and desire to revenge or fear of the offender. It sets free the offender as well as the offended. Most of us have experienced hurt through intentional or unintentional actions or words or through learned family’s history. In whatever case, forgiveness may be very difficult but not impossible with the grace of God. We ought to bring our hurts and bad feelings before the Lord in prayer and surrender them to God.
For, when we didn’t deserve it, God has forgiven us in Christ Jesus. Through Christ, we have become God’s adopted children. Jesus went on to the ultimate sacrifice of the Cross in order to bring us salvation. The parable of the King, who decided to settle accounts with his servants, shows the kind of God we have. Our God is a forgiving God, unconditionally forgiving of our sins. God forgives us and expects us to forgive our fellow humans. Apostle Paul calls us to be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5: 1). “And do not grieve the holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting and reviling must be removed from you, along with the malice. (Ephesians 4: 30-31). “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” Mt. 5: 7).