Glory be to Jesus Christ. Glory forever. Recently,
I read an article about a young man who works
at the Department of Transportation. strengthening
the white lines that fade in a rural area. Normally
this would be done by a machine, but since the
machine was broken, he was given the task of
painting these lines. On the first day, he managed
to do two miles. The second day, one mile. And
the third day, barely a half mile. His supervisor
wanted to know what the problem seems to be since
he wasn't doing the work that was scheduled to
be done. He said, sir, the reason I'm getting
slower and slower is because the pain can that
I'm using is getting further and further away.
This illustrates, my dear people, how one can
unthinkingly leave behind the core of the Christian
message that Jesus enunciated so clearly. I am
the way, the truth, and the life. Like a number
of parables found in the Gospels reading, Today's
reading is taken from the 18th chapter of Matthew.
And Jesus told this parable in response to a
question that Peter raised. Peter said, Lord,
how many times should a person be expected to
forgive? Is seven times seven sufficient? Because
in the old rabbinic school, it was only required
to do it three times. So Peter thought he was
doing a great deal. Seven times. No, Jesus said,
not seven times, but 70 times seven. In order
to give us a better understanding of what the
real true implications are of this parable, Jesus
said the following. And it's called the parable
of the unforgiving servant. Jesus said a certain
king. discovered that one of his close financial
counselors had accumulated an incredible amount
of debt against the treasury. A debt that he
couldn't repay even in a hundred years. The king,
however, insisted that the payment must be done
immediately. But the counselor said, sir, I'm
unable to do that. Have mercy on me. Pity me.
Forgive me the debt. And the king forgave him
the debt. And as he walked away in delirious
joy, for he was forgiven such a huge debt. He
encountered one of his co -workers who owed him
really an insignificant amount, an amount that
should have been overlooked long time ago. Because
his co -worker was unable to give him that money
at the time, he had him thrown into prison. When
the king heard of what he had done and how ungrateful
the counselor was, the king reminded him how
much he was forgiven. And Jesus said this, very
sobering words. Because you could not find in
your heart to offer forgiveness to him, you who
was forgiven so much, you must suffer the consequences.
And then our Lord ended the parable with these
very uncomfortable words. This is how our Heavenly
Father will deal with you unless you forgive
one another. This particular topic on forgiveness
is found throughout the New Testament. And like
the teachings on love, it has meaning, importance,
and relevance for all times and for all people.
For all people. I want to say to you in a loving
and direct way why we should forgive those who
have wronged us or who have taken advantage of
us. Why? Because the Word of God commands us
to do precisely that. Jesus said, we not only
should forgive, but we should pray for one another.
Even for our enemies. This is not a matter about
morality. It is the very essence of the Christian
gospel. Because God is love. He created us in
love. He died for us because of his love for
us. Why we should forgive? Because our Lord himself
gave us an unforgettable image, an example. Of
forgiveness. When he cried out from the cross.
The words that still. Resonate. Throughout the
quarters of time. Father. Forgive them. Forgive
them. Why should we forgive. Because forgiveness
is not an option. Love and forgiveness are supreme
and surpass all Christian duties. Our relationship
to God is directly related to our relationship
to one another. They can't be separated. And
in that first epistle of John, the evangelist
of love tells us, if you can't forgive your brother
whom you see, how can you love God whom you cannot
see? To hold a grudge, my dear people, takes
a deep and dreadful psychological and spiritual
toll. Grudge holders, listen carefully, grudge
holders are grave diggers, and the only grave
they dig is their own. my pastoral life, I think
the most unhappy and frustrated individuals are
the persons who can't forgive. You heard in the
gospel, in the epistle today, we Christians must
be models and images of forgiveness. We forgive
because it is necessary for our own spiritual
health and growth. We forgive because our Lord
commands us to do so. He said, a new commandment
I give unto you. That you love one another. But
he didn't stop there. That you love one another
as I love you. We forgive. Because we are daily
forgiven. Daily. Our name. God's mercy. Is upon
us. And if you remember. What Father Lawrence
said. Some time ago. He said from this pulpit.
If you can't forgive. You can't say the Lord's
prayer. Forgive us our debts or trespasses or
whatever as we forgive others. I know throughout
my pastoral life this has been a theme which
bears heavily on my soul. Because I know people
He said this to me in confession. I forgive what
I will forget. If you forget love, if you forget
how to forgive, Then your spiritual life will
have serious consequences. You know, in that
13th chapter of Corinthians that was read in
the epistle, St. Paul said, it doesn't matter
if you have a dozen degrees or post -doctoral
degrees. If you can't love and forgive, then
you're nothing but a trying symbol. And he says,
even if you give whatever amount you give, but
if you can't love your brother, then that's not
love. If you forgive, but let the handle Of anguish.
And anger. And disappointment. Stand. In your
way. Then your Christian faith. Is in question
my dear people. Love one another. Forgive one
another. Because we are all wrong. We all make
mistakes. And sometimes, unthinkingly, like the
painter, we leave behind the core of the Christian
faith. And thus, we suffer the consequences.
And that's what Jesus said in a very sobering
way. This will happen to everyone who cannot
forgive. In the name of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit. Amen.