REFLECT:
Peter must have thought he was being generous by asking the Lord: “How many times must we forgive? Seven times?” We know from our own experience how difficult it is to forgive a person once, let alone seven times. But Jesus must shake his head realizing that like the disciples we just don’t get it. “I say to you not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” That is biblical language for “all the time.” There is never a time a true Christian should not extend the hand of forgiveness and peace to someone who has hurt us. We know the teachings of Jesus: love your enemies, pray for those who curse you, give to one who asks with no expectation of repayment, when a person strikes you on one cheek, turn the other one as well, forgive those who harm you. These are challenging teachings but present for us the vision of life as God intends us to follow. How can we possibly embrace these ideals and put them into practice? Only by looking at how God treats us, of course. How many times do we come before the Lord and seek his forgiveness – over and over again. And without fail he dispenses his mercy, compassion, forgiveness and peace. We are called not to allow the hurt of another to fester in our hearts. That will only turn to resentment, anger, and hatred. Instead, we are called to reflect always on the goodness of our God who out of his love for us extends the hand of forgiveness without limit to those who seek his grace. Should we not do the same to others. There is no other pathway to eternal life than by following the Golden Rule: do unto others what you would have them do unto you.
PRAY:
“Lord help me to let go of the hurts and wounds of my heart caused by others. Fill me with your peace and love to soften the wounds and bring the healing and restoration that only you can give. Help me to remember your mercies, O Lord, so great and so bountiful a font that has washed me clean over and over again. As those mercies fill my heart, may they flow from me to others as we seek to be your instruments of mercy to others.”
ACT:
Reach out to one person today who has hurt you or caused you harm and extend the peace and forgiveness of the Lord. If that is not possible, then spent ten minutes in prayer today for that person, asking God to open a way to reconciliation.