So will my Heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your bother from your heart.
Matthew 18:35
Day 21: Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent – Matthew 18:35
So will my Heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your bother from your heart.
Today’s Lenten Reflection
You have to love Peter trying to put a number — and a finite limit — on the number of times we are called to forgive those who have wrong us. Seventy times seven times!? In other words, without limit. But this is why so many of us adore Peter. We can relate to Him. He reminds us of ourselves, miscalculating God’s mercy as well as God’s expectations of us. Jesus reminds us that as His disciples, there are no limits on forgiveness. And as most of us can attest, there is nothing simple about forgiving others either. It demands that we place our hurts and resentment behind us, and challenges us to lay down our pride. We are pushed out of our comfort zone and made to be bigger than we feel inside. But Jesus knew that forgiveness was not just a gift to the person who had caused the pain, but a gift of freedom for the one granting forgiveness also. Holding onto anger and resentment will only drag us down and make us feel smaller, more sad, and more tough around the edges. There is true freedom in forgiveness — for every person involved.
Day 21 Lenten Meditation
When was the last time you needed to forgive someone for something that caused you pain? Can you remember the suffering you went through in the process? If and when you finally were able to forgive the person who wronged you, how did you feel? Oftentimes, it’s not until we finally forgive that we realize the heavy burden we had been carrying around, like a weight pressing down on our chest, sucking the joy out of everyday life. That’s not to say that we can forget every hurt that we have endured; for sure, there will be scars, some that even last a lifetime. But when we are able to let go and give others the same mercy we wish to have from others, and the same mercy we desire from God, we release ourselves from the cruel grip of resentment.
Lenten Prayer
Merciful Father, You are slow to anger and quick to forgive. We pray to be able to follow that example, even when it’s not easy. Give us patience, give us compassion, give us the ability to see ourselves in others. Master of mercy, You are instantly moved to free us from the prison we fashion for ourselves; may Your Spirit convict us when we are impatient and hardhearted in holding others bound. Amen.
Today’s suggested Penance
*Point out to another his or her virtue; their blessed qualities
“Oh, God, to know You is life. To sere You is freedom. To praise You is the soul’s joy and delight, Guard me with the power of Your grace here and in all places. Now and at all times, forever. Amen.” – Saint Augustine
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