Forgiving

How forgiving can we truly be?

Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” -  Matthew 18:21-35

The interesting thing about today's Gospel story is that it sets the bar high for all of us.

Not only are we expected to be forgiving to a great extent, but those we forgive are also expected to follow suit, or they will face punishment.

The king forgave a great debt, just as God forgives us for all we do.  But he expected the slave to be as forgiving as He.  As God does for us, we should do for one another.

It may be easier not to need forgiveness than receive it and have to be as forgiving.  But I think God expects us to be forgiving of others who do something to offend us, even if we do nothing to offend God.

So, the bar is set and we have to try to reach that goal, being like God.

Do onto others as you would have them do onto you.  That's the golden rule.  Now might be a good time to remember it.

More to come...