BASED ON CATHOLIC LITURGICAL READINGS
23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A
THEME: “FORGIVENESS”
((Readings: 1st: Ecl.27:30-28:7; Ps:102; 2nd: Rom 14:7-9; Gos: Mt 18:21-35))
In 1981 there was an attempt to assassinate Pope John Paul II. Fortunately, the Pope lived. After he recovered, he shocked the world when he made a visit to Rome’s Rabbibia Prison on Christmas day to see the man who had attempted to assassinate him. Millions watched on television as the Pope visited Mehmet Ali Agca on Christmas day, who only two years before had tried to assassinate him. The white-robed Pope and Jean-cladded terrorist huddled in the dark prison cell for 20 minutes, talking in low voices that could not be heard. When he emerged John Paul explained, “I spoke to a brother whom I have pardoned.” In the following weeks, most headlines in the media were “Why forgive?” If you were in the shoes of Pope John Paul II, what would you have done?
Today being the 24th Sunday in the ordinary time, our mother church is inviting us to reflect on forgiving our offenders and reconciling with them rather than harboring anger and resentment against them. There is a popular saying; “To err is human, to forgive is divine”. This means that the fact we are human, we are prone to sin, to make mistakes and errors, offend one another and God alike. But the one who forgives acts divinely. To forgive is to participate in the essential attributes and nature of God. Our God is known for this. “He is compassionate, merciful, loving and forgiving” (Ps 102).
Forgiveness is a vital element of reconciliation. Peter curiously asked Jesus a simple question: “Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me?” As often as seven times? Why is forgiveness so prime for Jesus?
- FORGIVENESS LIBERATES US
When Nelson Mandera was imprisoned by colonial rulers in South Africa, he continually reminded his fellow prisoners that UNLESS THEY LET GO OF THEIR HURTS AND FORGIVE THEIR TORTURERS, THEY WILL EVER REMAIN in the grip OF THEIR ENEMIES. When we do not forgive, we remain prisoners of hatred, and that keeps eating us from the inside. Hatred and resentment are moral cancer that finishes you gradually internally. Actually, unforgiveness does more harm to you than your enemies because you will never be free. Do we choose to remain in prison of hatred, anger, and unforgiveness, or you want to set ourselves free? Forgiveness liberates the one who is forgiven and heals the one who forgives. A renowned theologian said, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”
- IT IS A CONDITION FOR OUR OWN FORGIVENESS
Ben Sira in the first reading urges you to forgive your neighbor the hurts he does to you, so that when you pray, your sins will also be forgiven. If you harbor anger and hatred against your brother, can you demand compassion and forgiveness from God? The wicked servant in the parable of Jesus in the gospel today was forgiven an outstanding debt but could not forgive his neighbor a little debt. He was set free, but he jailed his neighbor. God has treated us mercifully therefore we must be merciful to others. We must forgive because God forgives us every day.
In today’s gospel, Jesus teaches us that there should be no limit to our forgiveness and no condition attached to our reconciliation. “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15). Therefore, if we reflect on how much God has forgiven us, we will find it easy to let it go of what we hold against others.
- UNFORGIVENESS ACTS AS AN OBSTACLE TO OUR PRAYERS
The heart full of resentment and unforgiveness acts as a hindrance to our prayers and blessings. In Mt 5:23 Jesus taught “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” This is because the hatred and unforgiveness we keep in our hearts act as an obstacle to our prayers and sacrifice. If you want to please God with prayers and sacrifice then you must choose to forgive.
In brief dear friends, there is no need to keep anger, resentment, hatred, and unforgiveness. If you choose not to forgive you choose to remain in the tomb of unforgiveness. Our ability to forgive is the measure of the depth of our Christianity. The forgiveness that we offer others is the indispensable condition that makes it possible for us to receive God’s forgiveness and blessings. God wants us to forgive one another all the time without limits and conditions.
Note that Forgiveness does not mean suppressing your feelings or pretending that the anger does not exist. Forgiveness requires a conscious decision to release your resentment and thoughts of revenge. This is not easy but depending on the grace of God it is possible to let go of the hurts and forgive. Remember, that forgiveness is the greatest gift that you can give yourself.
Prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Blessed Sunday
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“May the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all People. Amen”
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 