Tuesday 13th March, 2012
Daniel 3:25, 34-43. Remember your mercies, O Lord—Ps 24(25):4-9. Matthew 18:21-35.

  
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‘You must forgive your brother from the heart.’

When Jesus tells Peter he must forgive his brother seventy-seven times he doesn’t mean he has to keep score. He wants us to continually reflect on our day, our life and our actions and to be compassionate always. We see in the gospels how ready Jesus is to forgive those who have opened their hearts to his message and who come in a spirit of faith. It’s those who behave like the hypocritical servant in today’s gospel who Jesus condemns.

This servant had begged his master to be patient. He had his debt cancelled. Yet he showed no mercy for his fellow servant. This is a challenging gospel. It’s not easy to forgive someone who has hurt us. But it’s a lesson we must learn day after day if we want to work with Jesus to create a better world.