Forgive... or else!

We know how we have fallen short.

We know that we have sinned.

We know that we desperately need the mercy and forgiveness of God.

So we join with the prayer of Azariah from today’s first reading (preserved in the Greek text of Daniel – 3:25, 34-43)

But with contrite heart and humble spirit
let us be received;
As though it were burnt offerings of rams and bullocks,
or thousands of fat lambs,
So let our sacrifice be in your presence today
as we follow you unreservedly;
for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame.
And now we follow you with our whole heart,
we fear you and we pray to you.
Do not let us be put to shame,
but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.

But if we want forgiveness, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ reminds us in today’s Gospel (Matthew 18:21-35) that we ourselves must forgive those who sin against us.

“’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 your brother from your heart.”

Forgiveness cannot be received unless it is shared.

May we forgive each other always.