THURSDAY THE 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (A)
MYSTERY OF THE DAY: Luminous
CELEBRATION OF THE DAY: Ferial.
TABLE OF THE WORD: Joshua 3:7-10.11.13-17; Matthew 18:21-19:1.
THEME: How often shall I forgive?
THE WORD:
- "Peter came up and said to Jesus, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven."(Matthew 18:22ff.)
INSPIRATION
The question of forgiveness goes with million thoughts. Thought of how often shall I forgive? After forgiveness, is it possible to forget the hurt? What is the measure of remorsefulness before one fogives guilt? etc.
It is in line with this, that today's Table of the Word sets out to provide answers to these mind blowing questions.
Right from moment of creation, after the fall of man and losing of the original Grace. (cf. Genesis 3:1ff.), forgiveness was was central in the thought of God, thus sending His only begotten Son, Jesus for the mission of reconciling humanity with Divinity. (cf. John 3:16). Still in the New Testament account, when the disciples approached Jesus and asked Him to teach them how to pray as John taught his disciples; Christ taught them the greatest prayer: "Our Father or The Lord's Prayer." (cf. Matthew 6:9-15)
However, in the 5th article of the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." This article called to mind an invitation to let go hurt inflicted on us. But how many times should we let go? The gospel pericope for today has this to say:
- "Peter came up and said to Jesus, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven."(Matthew 18:22ff.)
The text gave us an indepth understanding of what forgiveness is; which the 5th article of the Lord's Prayer encourages us to forgive one another if we desire forgiveness from God. And that our failure to forgive one another, God will not forgive us.
In conclusion, the summary of the whole discussion is forgive, forgive, and continue to forgive until you forgive.
Peace be with you!
PRAYER
Merciful Lord, the source of who we are, we thank You for the gift of the dawn, bless us with a forgiving spirit without counting the cost. We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.Amen.
+ May the Lord in His infinite mercy bless and keep us, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
(c) The ARCHIVE 17082023
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