Forgiveness

24th Sunday, Ord.Time

Matt.18:21ff.

In the Gospel passage we have just heard, Jesus is dealing with a deeply important subject i.e. forgiveness of injuries or offences.
We live in a sinful and imperffect world and it is vain to expect that we can escape ill-treatment, however well we live.
And Jesus through todays Gospel teaches us that we ought to forgive others to the uttermost.
Jesus told Peter to forgive 70 times seven.

However, this teaching of Jesus about forgiveness must be interpreted with some qualification and caution.
When Jesus tells us to forgive, He doesn't mean that offences against the law of the land and peaceful living should be ignored.
When Jesus tells us to forgive, it doesn't mean that the good order of the society are to be passed over in silence.
To forgive 70 times seven, doesn't mean that we must allow people to commit theft and crimes with impunity.


Then what is the right meaning of forgiving 70 times 7?
It means as Christians we must develope a general spirit of mercy and forgiveness towards others.
It means we must bear much and suffer much rather than pick up a quarrel.
It means we should ignore many things in others rather than have any strife and dispute.
It means we should be careful to avoid anything like revenge and retaliation.
It means that the principle 'an eye for an eye' is utterly unworthy of Christians.


As Christians, we must be more willing to forgive and more desirious for peace.
It takes two always to make a quarrel.
Let us each resolve now, by God's grace, that of these two, we will never be one .
Let us return good for evil.
Let us return blessing for cursing!


Dear friends in Christ,
The beauty of our religion consists in love and fogiveness.
Many people may not understan our theology and typically Catholic doctrines, but they will easily understand a forgiving temper.
Forgive 70 times seven because forgiveness is the best publicity of our religion!

May God bless you!

John Kudiyiruppil MST