Tuesday of the
Third Week of Lent
(Daniel 3:25.34-43; Matthew 18:21-35)
Biographers of St. Patrick are not sure about the events
of his life. They say that accounts are
so embedded in myth that it is difficult to speak with certainty about them. However, there seems to be some consensus
that he was kidnapped and sold as a slave in Ireland. When he escaped, he evidently did not harbor
resentment against his land of captivity.
Rather he returned there as a missionary bishop to convert its people to
Christ. To the extent that this is
true, it illustrates today’s gospel.
Jesus emphasizes forgiveness, especially in this gospel
according to Matthew. He mentions it in
the prayer he taught his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount. Then he reiterates the point to make sure the
imperative of forgiveness is understood.
In today’s passage, toward the end of the gospel, Jesus again hones in
on forgiveness. His followers must be
ready to forgive multiple times. If they
do not, they will not receive the forgiveness they require from the Father.
Forgiveness is especially difficult when we have been
offended deeply. We do not want to let
the offence go without due recompense beyond an apology. In cases of loss of life or limb, that is
simply not possible. By forgiving in
this situation, we show our trust that God will turn the injustice into our
glory.
