March 26, 2019 Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent-C
Daniel 3:25, 34-43
Psalm 25
Matthew 18:21-35
And now we follow you with our whole heart… Dan. 3:41
Moved with compassion the master…let him go and forgave him the loan.” Mt.18:27
Lord, Peter asked you about the limits of forgiveness. He wanted to know how many times he was obligated to forgive. Peter wanted to know the boundaries of his forgiveness. Peter wanted to know when he could quit forgiving. You said forgiveness has no limits. The point of your parable is that because of his infinite compassion God’s mercy and forgiveness are also infinite. In Daniel’s great prayer he asks for the grace to follow you with his entire heart. He wasn’t looking for a legal minimum or asking how much of his life he must give to you or how much he could keep for himself. The other point of your parable is that to be forgiven I must forgive others from my heart. I will only be forgiven if I am ready to forgive. Lord, help me to always remember this story when confronted with harm or personal hurts. Even if I can only start small, may I always take steps to let go of resentment and repair damaged relationships. You forgave those who nailed you to the cross. Lent is a good time to give my whole heart to you and to forgive as you forgive. Amen.