St. Frances of Rome, religious 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Daniel 3:25, 34-43*

 Azariah stood up in the midst of the fire and prayed aloud:

Do not abandon us forever, do not reject your covenant for your Name’s sake.(…..)  Lord, see, we have become the least among the nations in all the world, and we are humiliated because of our sins.(……)

 But at least when we present ourselves with a contrite soul and humbled spirit may we then be acceptable to you, more than by offerings of rams and calves as holocausts, and of thousands of fat lambs.

 May this sacrifice of ours today obtain for us your favor for we know that those who trust in you shall never be disappointed.  And now, we serve you with our whole heart, we fear you and we seek your face.

Do not leave us in our humiliation, but treat us according to your kindness and your great mercy. Free us in keeping with your wonders, and give us the glory of your Name, Lord.

 

Ps 25:4-5, 6 & 7bc, 8-9

Remember your mercies, O Lord.

 

＊＊＊＊ 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：

Sharing our blessings to others attract more blessings. The multiplier effect of heaven is dependent on our openness to bring to others what God brought to us in generosity. This rule runs counter to the rule of physical laws.

If you give, you deprive yourself with that which is given to others. You have less afterwards. But in the spiritual laws, it is when you give that you receive. You are rich when you share. This subversion of the physical laws is meant to teach us that what is essential could not be seen by our naked eyes.