THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Tuesday of the third week of Lent, 2022

Dan 3:2,11-20

Ps 25

Matt 21:18-38

Seventy times seven

Dear friends in Christ, when we judge by the standards of the world, we may have surpassed many other people. You may have reached some level of perfection because you have gone way beyond the level of others: in prayers, spiritual matters, and sometimes in our level of charitable living. It is only when we bring it to the level of the divine, that we begin to notice that it may not be as wonderful as we had thought.

In our first reading today (Daniel 3:2.11-20) Azariah amid the fire, turned his thoughts to the Lord and prayed fervently for forgiveness for his nation. He asked God to remember the covenant he had made to their ancestors and to see now, that they have become fewer than many nations. He acknowledged the calamity that has befallen them as a result of sin, but prayed, “With a contrite heart and a humble spirit may we be accepted…” Like Azariah, we ask God for forgiveness for our sins. Are we who need forgiveness ready to forgive others?

Our Gospel reading of today is from Matthew 18:21-38. In a culture where on the third count, you are free to retaliate; and according to the law of Moses, in the same measure— “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” Is it not a great act of kindness, to close one's eye until the seventh count? Peter must have been very proud of himself, to put this question to Jesus. He must have listened to Jesus who in this chapter, taught about temptations to sin; told the parable of the lost sheep, and then taught about how to reconcile with your brother, by doing everything possible to win him, even if he refuses to listen. The question of Peter is, how many times must I go through this process before I lose my cool and retaliate? “As many as seven times?” Jesus answered him, “I do not say seven times, but seventy times seven.” In simple terms, there must be no limit to your endurance— of your brother or sister or neighbor. Your willingness to forgive is a condition for your forgiveness with God.

Sometimes, the longer you live with someone, the more of his faults you get to see, and the more irritated you get at those faults, particularly if it becomes repetitive—when it occurs again and again. Jesus however says we must forgive. This is not a license for the offender to continue in sin the love shown to the offender is to encourage him to repent. May God not treat us according to our faults. Is there someone you are finding it hard to forgive? Jesus asks you—Forgive, seventy— times—seven!

Let us pray: O God, I am a sinner, have mercy on me and give me the grace to forgive those who have wronged me. Amen. 

+Remain blessed