MATTHEW 18:21-35

Peter...asked Jesus, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.' Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, 'Pay back what you owe.' Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant!  I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart."

Gospelthink: I tell a story that explains what happens when a person does not forgive. I have forgiven you. Have I learned that I must forgive others?

"Hello, it's me. I was wondering if after all these years you'd like to meet, to go over everything. They say that time's supposed to heal ya, but I ain't done much healing. Hello, can you hear me? I'm in California dreaming about who we used to be when we were younger and free. I've forgotten how it felt before the world fell at our feet. There's such a difference between us and a million miles. Hello from the other side. I must've called a thousand times to tell you I'm sorry for everything that I've done. But when I call you never seem to be home. Hello from the outside. At least I can say that I've tried to tell you I'm sorry for breaking your heart. But it don't matter, it clearly doesn't tear you apart anymore." 

Jesus' parable concerning forgiveness is one of the most powerful teaching stories that he spoke. The obvious conclusion is that we must forgive others, and if we say that we are sorry for something and receive forgiveness, then we are bound to forgive others when they say that they are sorry. The theological conclusion is that God has forgiven us and will continue to forgive us; it should be a spiritual principle then that we will forgive anyone who asks our forgiveness.

Adele's song "Hello" is about a person asking to be forgiven. She has "gone over everything" in her mind, and her conclusion is that she was wrong and must call to tell her once-upon-a-time boyfriend that she was. He does not seem to respond, and so she seems to make the difficult decision to move on after apologizing. It is a wonderful lesson that can lead to better relationships and better moments of understanding our romantic pursuits. In essence, it is what true love is all about--the ability to let the other live his/her own life.

It is not easy, of course. No one likes the feeling of rejection. The natural tendency is to want to retaliate, and unfortunately, many do. But the Christian way of responding is at least to say that we are sorry, and then move on in life. The person in Adele's song is doing just that. At the same time, Jesus reminds us that we must forgive others if they say that they are sorry. 

Seeking sorrow for past actions and forgiveness are two elements of the same action. Christians are called to say sincerely that they are sorry when they realize that they have done something wrong. Once it is said, they hope that forgiveness will be given them, but no matter whether they have received it or not, they must learn at the same time that they will forgive others when forgiveness is asked of them. 

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we know that You forgive us whenever we ask for it sincerely. Give us the grace to forgive others no matter what the circumstances. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: One of the marks of true love is the ability to say and mean "I am sorry."

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Gospel text analysis: "Seventy-times seven" means limitless forgiveness. Do you think that this is possible in today's world? Yes or no and why?
2. There is much exaggeration in Jesus' story. Why do you think Jesus used exaggeration in his sermons?
3. In your opinion, are there many situations like Jesus describes in his story happening in our world today? Yes or no and why?
4. Text analysis: "Time is supposed to heal ya."  Is it a true statement that time should heal a situation?  Yes or no and why?
5. In your opinion, Is there ever a time when someone should stop trying to ask for forgiveness? Yes or no and why? 
6. What is your definition of true love?
7. In your opinion, do most people turn to revenge when a wrong has been committed against them? Yes or no and why?
8. What is the best way to show forgiveness to someone that you know fairly well?
9.  What does the song "Hello" teach young people?    

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America