Today’s readings call us to be attentive to our relationships. The first reading, from the book of Daniel, call us to reflect on our relationship with God. It encourages us to be attentive to our need of God, and especially to our need for God’s mercy and compassion.
The people, having wandered far from God have realised their need of God, and return to God aware that all they have to offer is their humility and neediness. He writes:
“And now we put our whole heart into following you, into fearing you and seeking your face once more. Do not disappoint us; treat us gently, as you yourself are gentle and very merciful.”
The gospel calls us to be attentive to our relationships with one another. We soon recognise that our relationships with one another are often broken. Whatever our best intentions we end up wounding each other in a myriad of ways throughout the day. We have a real interest in Peter’s question about the limits of forgiveness.
If we’re honest, like Peter, we’d like a limit put on that forgiveness. We’d like to know there’s a point at which we can close the door on a troublesome situation. But Jesus’ response extends the limits of forgiveness, saying:
“‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.”
He goes on to tell a story that highlights the ways we might subvert the challenging work of forgiveness. He ends by calling us to learn to forgive as God does, from the depths of our hearts:
“Forgive your sister or brother from your heart.”
The blessing of attentiveness invites & challenges us to recreate our relationships in ways that reflect the love and compassion that God lavishes on us.
Where is Christ calling you to be attentive to your relationships this Lent?