August 12, 2021 Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time-B
Joshua 3:7-10, 11, 13-17
Psalm 114
Matthew 18:21—19:1
“Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?” Mt. 18:33
Lord, we have a saying that goes: “fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.” I think these words set a limit on what I should put up with in the way I am treated by others. Peter asked you for a limit on his duty to forgive. He thought he was being quite generous in offering forgiveness seven times. You replied that there is no limit to how often we are to forgive. What if you had limits on your mercy? Many of us would have used up your forgiveness a long time ago. Thank God your mercy is unlimited and timeless. Lord, sometimes it is hard to forgive, other times I’m not ready and the hurt is too great. Please be patient with me as I work through my hurt feelings, wounded pride and resentment. Maybe I can take a first step toward reconciliation by praying for the welfare of the one who has harmed me. It is said “time heals all wounds.” Grant me, dear Jesus, the time and the grace to begin repairing a broken relationship or healing a troubled heart. Amen.