Remember To Forgive

Daniel 3:25,43-43
Matthew 18:21-35

Today’s first reading is a prayer taken from the book of Daniel (3:25-43). But before this moment, Jerusalem had been overrun by the Babylonians and many of its people dragged off as slaves.  They were cut off completely from Temple services and traditional religious practices.  Some, however, remained amazingly faithful despite a hostile environment.  Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (better known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) remained faithful to their Jewish beliefs and this angered the King. With wrath and urgency, they were thrown into a furnace so hit that it killed those who thrown them in.

An important lesson to learn from the prayer of Azariah Is that it makes us recognize the need for communal culpability before the justice of God. He invites us to a confession of guilt to who is slow to anger and reach in mercy; accepting our guilt since we have the obligation to pray for others especially those who offend us, aware that we have all inherited the original sin. If we keep on counting how many times we are offended , or we insist to have our pound of flesh then how can we stand before God to obtain mercy.

Forgiveness is a major concern and Jesus tells us in today’s gospel that we must forgive totally just as our Heavenly Father forgives us our sins. Look beyond the hurts and be loving, compassionate, and forgiving. There are a number of things that we forget quite easily, like our appointments when we don’t note them down, or a person’s name, or walking into a room and forgetting what was the purpose. We struggle with forgetfulness, yet there are some things that we won’t forget. We won’t forget the person who owe us money, or the person who hurt us or broke a promise with us. We may have forgiven them, but is it possible to forget the pain and the hurt that we suffered or they suffered? It is often said “forgive and forget” or “to forgive is to forget.”

Of course if we can’t forget, then it may mean that we didn’t really forgive that person, and the pain and hurt may still be remaining in our hearts. But on the other hand, if we keep remembering, then it would be better to remember how we tried to move on and how the grace of God was healing us and lifting us up so that we can even think about forgiveness. And if we must remember, then let us call out like the Psalmist Ps 25:6-9) Remember your mercy, Lord!

Yes, we must remember that God in His mercy has forgiven us our sins, and we are always in need of His mercy. Have I been willing to offer the same forgiveness and mercy I received from God to those who have hurt me? What can I do to be more forgiving of others?

May God help us to remember His mercy, and give us the grace to be merciful to others and to forgive them too. Amen.

Fr Joseph Osho