＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Sirach 27:30-28:7

 Grudge and wrath,

these also are abominations in which sinful people excel. Don’t bear grudges  He who demands revenge will suffer the vengeance of the Lord who keeps a strict account of his sins.  Forgive the mistakes of your neighbor and you may ask that your sins be forgiven.

 If a man bears resentment against another, how can he ask God for healing?   If he has no compassion on ­others, how can he pray for forgiveness for his sins?  As long as he, mere flesh, is resentful, who will obtain his pardon?

 Remember your end and give up hatred; keep in mind your final corruption in the grave and keep the commandments.  Remember the commandments and do not bear grudges against your neighbor. Remember the covenant with the Most High and overlook the offense.

 

Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12 (8)

The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

Romans 14:7-9

 In fact, none of us lives for himself, nor dies for himself. If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Either in life or in death, we belong to the Lord; It was for this purpose that Christ both died and come to life again to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Matthew 18:21-35

Then Peter asked him, “Lord, how many times must I forgive the offenses of my brother or sister? Seven times?” Jesus answered, “No, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. This story throws light on the kingdom of heaven.

A king decided to settle the accounts of his servants. Among the first was one who owed him ten thousand gold ingots. As the man could not repay the debt, the king commanded that he be sold as a slave with his wife, children and all his goods in payment.

 The official threw himself at the feet of the king and said, ‘Give me time, and I will pay you back everything.’ The king took pity on him and not only set him free but even canceled his debt.  This official then left the king’s presence and he met one of his companions who owed him a hundred pieces of silver.

He grabbed him by the neck and almost strangled him, shouting, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ His companion threw himself at his feet and asked him, ‘Give me time, and I will pay everything.’ The other did not agree, but sent him to prison until he had paid all his debt.

 His companions saw what happened. They were indignant and so they went and reported everything to their lord. Then the lord summoned his official and said, ‘Wicked servant, I forgave you all that you owed when you begged me to do so. 

Weren’t you bound to have pity on your companion as I had pity on you?’ The lord was now angry, so he handed his servant over to be punished, until he had paid his whole debt.”  Jesus added, “So will my heavenly Father do with you unless each of you sincerely for­give your brother or sister.”

 

Gospel Reflection：

Read:

The Lord asserts His being the only one truly able to carry out justice. He condemns the world’s cycle of offense and vengefulness. He demands a shift to a ripple and cycle of love and forgiveness.

Reflect:

Rwanda, a country in East Africa, suffered a painful and devastating crisis among its people twenty-five years ago. Around 800,000 people, mostly those belonging to the Tutsi tribe, were killed. Until now, the deep wounds and bloody memories continue to divide the nation.

Rwanda’s president, Paul kagame, insists that forgiveness is the key to end the cycle of retaliation. Someone accused him of burdening the survivors with the responsibility for the country’s healing.

His answer: “It was a painful question, but I realized the answer was obvious. Survivors are the only ones with something left to give: their forgiveness.”

Pray:

We pray for families, communities, and societies struggling for healing and reconciliation.

Act:

List the people you have difficulty to trust again. Talk to them and slowly figure out how they can regain your trust and forgiveness.