Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent
(Daniel 3:25.34-43; Matthew 18:21-35)
A little girl comes home crying. She says that she fell down and ruined her
dress. The mother takes her into her
arms to console her. She says, “I don’t
care if you ruined a hundred dresses, just as long as you aren’t hurt.” Such graciousness is what Jesus demands of
his disciples in today’s gospel reading.
Peter comes to Jesus asking for a rule of thumb to
determine how much patience is required with an offensive church member, a “brother.” A situation can be readily imagined. A member
of the community consistently comes late for services. She says that she is sorry and promises to
try harder to be on time. But her
tardiness is disruptive and the pastor wants to draw a line that might help her
to fulfill her promise. What would Jesus
say?
Jesus tells us to forgive the truly repentant, no matter
the number of times. He exhorts
long-suffering as a way of expressing love.
But he would also advise discerning the sincerity of the offender. If she treats others with a similar magnanimity,
pardon can be joyfully extended. If she harshly
judges the motives of others, the earnestness of her intention to reform is
dubious.
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