WHAT HUMILITY TEACHES ABOUT FORGIVENESS - 03/22/22 (Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent)

Matthew 18:21-22,26-28,31-33

21 Then Peter came up and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, `Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, `Pay what you owe.' 

31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, `You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; 33 and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'

For the full readings, click here: 

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/daily-readings

Blessed Tuesday! A humble person always has a forgiving heart. Jesus reminds us that we should have no limits in the mercy and forgiveness we give to one another. There are at least three things that humility teaches us about forgiveness. 

First, a humble person forgives because he recognizes his own sinfulness. In the parable of the unforgiving servant, the king forgave his servant. However, this same servant did not forgive his fellow servant who owed him lower debt. If we persevere in humility, we will realize that our sins which offend our God are worse than the sins of our neighbors who offended us. Even though we deserve eternal punishment, Jesus is merciful to us, and He grants us hope of eternal life. Humility should make us grateful and lead us to forgive them of their faults against us. 

Second, a humble person will choose to pray for people who commit sins instead of dwelling on anger. In the parable, the unforgiving servant punished his fellow worker. But, when the other servants saw his lack of compassion, they did not revenge on him. Rather, they reported to the king. This symbolizes the necessity for us to report to Jesus, through our prayer, the people who commit evil to us and others. To pray for the conversion of other people shows the love we have for them. A sign that we have truly forgiven them is when there is no longer any anger within our hearts, and what God sees is our desire for them to be saved from their sins. 

Lastly, a humble person glorifies God by forgiving other people. Jesus tells us to forgive seventy times seven. The number "7" represents perfection pertaining to the perfection of God's mercy. Jesus Christ offered His forgiveness on the cross when He said, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do." He offered this gift of forgiveness even if we offended Him and even before we could even ask of His forgiveness. He loved us before we could even love Him. This access to the gift of forgiveness is always available. It's up to us if our hearts are open to accept this gift through repentance of our sins. By imitating the example of our Merciful and Humble God, we glorify Him in our actions.

Let's accept this calling from God to be merciful. If we find it difficult to forgive, may we humble ourselves even more and beg for God's graces to do what is right. Jesus will strengthen us to imitate Him, and His merciful love will never abandon us as long as we have the desire in our hearts to serve Him and our neighbors. 

Amen +

 

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic