Thursday 12 August

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TODAY IS THURSDAY THE 12TH OF AUGUST, IN THE NINETEENTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME.

Marianne Beata Kieland sings Erbarme dich from Bach’s St Matthew Passion. Erbarme dich, mein Gott, um meiner Zähren willen ‘Have mercy, my God, for the sake of my tears.’ As you sit here now, what are the sorrows and pains you are carrying? Commend them to the mercy and love of God.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 18:21-35  

Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’

Jesus speaks bluntly in this passage of the pain of being unforgiven, and even of punishment, in a way that might seem threatening.  But the underlying message here is about forgiveness, about the need for forgiveness. For a few moments, can you call to mind what un-forgiveness there is in your life? - hurts you have suffered from other people that you haven't got over, or lingering guilt you might feel about things you've done to others that you wish you hadn't?

Now think of those first words Jesus utters in this passage, that Peter should forgive "not seven times, but seventy-seven times", and for a moment, imagine him saying this to you.   When you apply this to your situation, how does it make you feel?  More at ease?  ... or perhaps inadequate?  ... or does it stir in you some desire for a change of heart?

Listen again to the first part of the reading, noticing how you feel at the moment when the king has pity and forgives.

Unforgiven pains and resentments hurt the person who won't forgive as much as the person who is not forgiven.  Speak to the Lord now about any guilt or resentment you need to be liberated from.  Sometimes you can only honestly say, "I would like to forgive, but I can't at the moment."  That desire may be enough for now.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.