THURSDAY 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II
Ezekiel 12:1-12, Matthew 18:21-19:1
FORGIVENESS IS NOT AN OPTION BUT COMPULSORY
In the gospel reading of yesterday, Jesus taught us the 3 steps of reconciliation with those who have hurt us. The gospel reading of today is a continuation of that of yesterday. The topic of reconciliation and forgiveness is a very important topic for humanity. Many people are easily irritated and do not forgive simple misunderstandings with others. Some also prefer material possessions to the human person, thus they require people to pay for their mistakes at all cost, even with their lives.
Jesus opens our eyes and minds today to the consciousness that the wrongs that people have done to us which we have refused to forgive, cannot be compared to the magnitude of offences we commit everyday that God has not held against us. Sometimes we make terrible mistakes and commit heinous crimes, but a slight mistake from others irritate us and we blow it out of proportion.
How insensitive and senseless the servant in the gospel reading of today was. How could one who was told not to pay one million naira that he was owing put someone who was owing him one thousand naira in prison? If we think of how much offenses we have committed and God has not punished us but forgiven us, we will be ready to forgive others their mistakes. If someone offends you one hundred times and begs for forgiveness, you should forgive because God has not condemned you for the one thousand times you have sinned. God help us. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
No comments:
Post a Comment