Gospel Reflection - 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A



Matthew 18:21-35

Continuing His lesson regarding those who've sinned against us, Jesus explains the importance of forgiveness. Seventy times seven symbolizes an infinite loop of forgiveness. It’s not a "one & done" action, nor is it just for the sinner. It is also for the one who's been hurt. The longer we harbor the pain from the inflicting action against us, the more anger, resentment, & suffering builds within us. Often the pain keeps returning & we need to choose forgiveness, even on a daily basis.

Fr. John Riccardo (a well-known priest from Detroit) once spoke of a woman who stopped praying The Our Father. The line "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" was difficult because she couldn't forgive a wrong done to her. How could she ask God to forgive her if she couldn't forgive someone else? Only when she realized that she couldn't do it alone & needed God's help in forgiving did she begin the prayer again.

The parable of the servant in today's Gospel shows the depth of that line in The Our Father. The king forgave his servant's debt even though it was an exorbitant amount of money. Yet, that servant turned around & forced his servant to pay back a much smaller debt. Once the king heard this, he went & handed the servant over to torturers until the debt was repaid.

"Forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive those who trespass against us!"

Who in your life do you need to forgive? Have you asked for God's help? If not, go to Him now!

From whom do you need to seek forgiveness? How can you begin to make reparation?

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