Thursday 20th of Oct
Matthew 18:21-19:1
‘How often must I forgive my brother?’
In today’s reading, Jesus explains how we are to forgive, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times. By this, he means an unlimited number of times, just as God never tires of forgiving us. Forgiveness is not always easy, but it is absolutely necessary for our healing. When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, he said ‘forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us’. In the measure we extend forgiveness, we too will be forgiven. Do we find it difficult to forgive someone? Do we keep a score of others faults or hold grudges? Are we also able to forgive ourselves and be patient with ourselves?
Today, let us remember God’s boundless mercy and seek forgiveness for our own failings. Let us pray for those who have hurt us and that God may give us the grace to forgive them and ourselves from our heart.