Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have been making our journey with Jesus through the Gospel of Mathew. The following is what we have learned so far about being his disciples. We are sent into the world with a positive attitude to bless and befriend the world.  We must nurture a blessing attitude and cultivate virtues of hospitality, fidelity, humility, gentleness, patience, generosity and a habit of listening to the voice of God, as well as listening and responding to those beyond family and friendship circles and strive to be the rock on which Christ would build his Church. We heard a profound and challenging call to reflect on the cost of being the rock on which Christ builds his Church…the cross, suffering, and death await all disciples who follow Jesus. Last Sunday, we were advised to be patient and tolerant with our imperfections, failures, mistakes and shortfalls and those of others as well and be open to mutual, brotherly, sisterly and friendly corrections

Today, we celebrate the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in ordinary time of the year. Our Scripture readings are all about forgiveness. Ben Sirach advises his readers to be forgiving and healing and merciful in their relationships (first reading). The Psalmist sings the praises of the Lord for “He pardons all your iniquities and heals all your ills” (Responsorial Psalm). Paul advises us not to sit in judgment of others or look down on others (Second reading).  And Jesus speaks of forgiving without limits (Gospel). 

We are called to forgive others as we have been forgiven, without condition and without limit. Forgiveness is actually a gift to oneself even as it is being offered to another and even when the other does not accept it. Because forgiveness frees us from the burden we carry - the burden of anger or resentment or ill feelings or hatred or any such slings and arrows.

Forgiveness is one of the most compassionate, generous and loving things that we can do for others. However, we tend to think of forgiveness as an act of kindness that we choose to give to some people who seem to deserve it and withhold this gift from others who seem un-deserving and un-repentant. Forgiveness actually has nothing to do with the deservedness or the lack of it of other people.  Forgiveness has everything to do with the person doing the forgiving. It is a free gift offered generously to others without expecting a return regardless of deservedness.

To read more of this Sunday’s reflection, please click on the link below…