Sep 13, 2020 - 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Sir 27:30-28; Rom 14:7-9; Mt 18:21-35)
Sirach reminds us we must first forgive others from our hearts in order to receive forgiveness ourselves. Mercy isn’t unconditional; God’s love is unconditional. His demand that we be merciful is itself an expression of his love. We must be aware there’s an internal principle to hatred that makes it self-destructive. There is a principle of justice at work also which means that when we fail to forgive others, we close ourselves off to God’s forgiveness. If we don’t forgive, we won’t be forgiven. Even Jesus who is mercy incarnate says so. Those who want a happy death must do more than think about being merciful. The basis of Psalm 103 is “The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.” He redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with kindness and compassion. Romans reminds us a baptized person is never alone. They are born to live in and for the Lord. This call unites all believers. Until we draw our final breath, our “occupation” is to live with Christ in whatever situation we find ourselves. In Matthew we look to Peter’s question ourselves: “Lord how often must I forgive?” How often when I forgive someone repeatedly? Jesus replies, “Don’t keep track. Decide to forgive always.” Your forgiveness of perpetrators doesn’t free them from paying the consequences of their crimes. Let us pray to join Peter in reacting to the moral of the story with a desire to be merciful like the master and avoid the corruption and punishment of the unforgiving servant. Divine Mercy.