The Act Of Forgiveness

Tuesday of the 3rd week of Lent

Daniel 3:25,34-43
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 were 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 from the prayer of Azariah Is that it makes us recognize the need for communal culpability before the justice of God and to ask to be forgiven. We would often say let’s forgive and forget. There are several 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 owes us money or the one 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? Of course, if we can’t forget, then it may mean that we did not forgive that person, and the pain and hurtful feelings may remain in our hearts. 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 so that we can even think about forgiveness.

And if we must remember, then let us call out like the response in today’s Responsorial Psalm: (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. Am I 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?

Jesus tells us in today’s gospel that we must forgive just as our Heavenly Father forgives us our sins. If we keep on counting how many times we are offended, or we insist on having our pound of flesh then how can we stand before God to obtain mercy? Let us beyond the hurts and be loving, compassionate, and forgiving like our heavenly Father.

PRAYER

Merciful Father show us your mercy and compassion. Help us to count on your forgiveness and love especially as we carry out our duties today. Graciously grant us the wisdom of putting on the right garment of forgiveness, charity, and humble service to all excluding no one at every of your privileged advantage we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr Joseph Osho