Daily Gospel Reflection for March 9, 2021

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

In today’s Gospel, Peter asks Jesus how many times he has to forgive his brother. This is one of the reasons why I love St. Peter so dearly. He asks the questions we’re all thinking. Jesus’ answer, of course, is familiar, but beautiful nonetheless. You must forgive not seven times, but seventy-seven times. In other words, an infinite number of times, as many times as needed. Then He tells the powerful parable of the unforgiving servant who refuses to extend the mercy that’s been granted to him, to another. The passage ends with Jesus commanding us to forgive our brother from our heart.

That’s an important distinction, isn’t it? From our heart. That is much more challenging, specially when someone has sinned against you many, many times. But Jesus is very clear: our ability to forgive others and our ability to receive forgiveness are connected.

Even though this passage isn’t really asking us to count the number of times we forgive - as if we’re just waiting for the seventy-first offense - I do think that numbering could be helpful for us.

But instead of counting the number of times I’ve forgiven, perhaps I can try to number the number of times I’ve been forgiven. By my husband for my short temper, by my kids for my impatience, by my neighbors for gossiping, by my friends for self-centeredness...by Jesus Himself for what seems an infinite number of sins.

And when I count that, my heart is overwhelmed by the mercy that I’ve been shown. How could I withhold that from another?

Ponder:

How many times have I been forgiven?

Pray:

Jesus, thank You for forgiving me. Please help me to extend mercy to those who sin against me.

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Instead of counting the number of times I’ve forgiven, perhaps I can try to number the number of times I’ve been forgiven. #dailygospel

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