SAINT FRANCES OF ROME, RELIGIOUS (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

If my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?

We can all identify with Peter here. How many times should we have to put up with the sins and annoying habits of those we know best? If they were really sorry, they’d stop doing the same thing!

It’s likely that Peter was not just asking a theoretical question. Like us, he was probably challenged to forgive someone in his life repeatedly. Maybe it was an irresponsible brother who ruined the nets because he didn’t store them properly. Maybe it was his wife, whose patience came to a breaking point by day’s end. Maybe it was even one of the other apostles.

Gently Jesus takes Peter through a thought experiment. He refrains from pointing out that Peter is just as likely to need repeated forgiveness. Instead, he tells a parable that helps Peter come to that conclusion on his own. With the help of the debtor in the parable, Jesus shifts Peter’s attention from the faults of his brother to the mercy he himself has received.

God doesn’t treat us the way we often treat one another—especially when we come to him for forgiveness again and again. In fact, each time we muster up the courage to come to him seeking forgiveness, God is delighted. He doesn’t hold up our past sins as a reason to withhold mercy. He’s glad to see us and eager to help us weaken the patterns of sin in our lives. He offers us boundless grace as we take even the smallest step to change for the better.

It’s not hard to imagine Peter recognizing himself at the end of this parable. Similarly, it shouldn’t be hard to recognize ourselves as well. Just as God continues to forgive, he expects us to grow in the call to be merciful just as he is merciful (Luke 6:36).

Sure, it can be hard to extend forgiveness yet again. But the forgiveness God pours out on us can be our inspiration and our strength. And asking St. Peter to support us in prayer probably wouldn’t hurt!

“Lord, thank you for the great mercy you have shown me. Help me to extend it to all the people in my life.”

Daniel 3:25, 34-43
Psalm 25:4-9
Matthew 18:21-35

WORD AMONG US