Seventy-Seven Times Forgive

“Seventy-Seven Times Forgive”
Matthew 18:21-35 “in a snailshell”
Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
©️2021 Gloria M. Chang

Then Peter approaching asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

Matthew 18:21-35

Seventy-seven times forgive
From the heart!
Let your neighbor live.

2 Replies to “Seventy-Seven Times Forgive”

  1. Dear GMC, thank you for your deeply moving reflection. Your poignant plea, “Let your neighbor live,” touches me to the core and helps me release for good all the unforgiveness that I had in my heart. For my neighbors’ sake, and as I become one with Divine Mercy, I realize it’s for my own sake. With tear-filled eyes, I thank you!

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