This Sunday’s gospel calls us to be reflect on forgiveness, one of the most challenging and most necessary parts of life. We know 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. This leaves us with 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 the story of the unjust servant. The story very directly highlights the way we might subvert the challenging work of forgiveness. Having been forgiven does not incline the servant to be forgiving himself, just the opposite.
Jesus uses the story to remind us that we have been forgiven by God, freely and lovingly. He then calls us to learn to forgive others as God forgives us, from the depths of our hearts. Our forgiveness is to come with with openness, love and a willingness to give the benefit of the doubt:
“Forgive your sister or brother from your heart.”
He invites & challenges us to recreate our relationships in ways that reflect the love and compassion that God lavishes on us. This is one of the hardest things we’re called to, which is why St Benedict reminds us to be quick to ask for forgiveness.
Where is Christ calling you let acknowledge your need to be forgiven and to forgive others?