Forever Forgiving?

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflecting on the Word

By Rev. James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R.

Erich Segal died at the beginning of 2010. I remember reading his best seller  Love Story and being moved by its then famous line “Love means never having  to say you’re sorry.” Over the years I have really come to disagree with this.  I believe love means having to say you’re sorry and asking for forgiveness many  times in life. 

Today’s Gospel reminds us that love also means being willing to forgive many times in a life. We fail each other. We sin against each other. Sometimes we do  this deliberately, sometimes thoughtlessly, but nonetheless it is painful for the  one sinned against. 

Is forgiveness ever easy—especially with a repeat offender? “Seven times?”  Peter asks. “Seventy-seven times,” Jesus replies. Today’s readings give us the  major reason to forgive others: God has forgiven us. There’s more. Not to forgive  is to let anger and wrath poison our hearts. Being unforgiving can imprison a person, resulting in bitterness, revenge, and a slow death of the spirit. Not to forgive  can be more costly for the one offended. 

Paul tells us we belong to the Lord, are called to serve him, to do his will,  which is the will of the Father. And God’s will is that we forgive one another. When  the risen Lord first appeared to the disciples in the upper room, he wished them  peace, and then gave them the power of the Spirit to forgive. This work is not  limited to our going to the sacrament of reconciliation. 

Consider/Discuss

  • Have you known the grace of being forgiven? 
  • Have you known the freedom of forgiving another person? 

Responding to the Word

We pray that we might have the gift of forgiveness, both of receiving and giving  it to others in turn. We ask the Holy Spirit to empower us to be able to forgive  what the world judges to be “unforgiveable.” While for us it can seem impossible,  with God all things are possible.

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