Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Tuesday of the Third Week in Lent

(Daniel 3:25.34-43; Matthew 18:21-35)

There is a problem in Jesus’ parable.  If one is to forgive continually, then what should the master do when the wicked servant asks forgiveness a second time?  Should he not pardon him?

We can bet that Jesus would say “no” to the proposition.  Forgiveness turns on the genuineness of the guilty party’s contrition.  The servant shows that his sorrow is a sham since he refuses to show mercy. In traditional terms, he lacks a purpose of amendment. 

We sometimes worry about the sincerity of our own intentions when we find ourselves always confessing the same sins.  Does God forgive us?  We must never underestimate God’s mercy.  It is deeper than the ocean.  But God is also that discerning as well.  He knows when we intend to change our ways.  But He also knows that bad habits are difficult to break and affords us many opportunities to make amendment.