Daily Gospel Reflection for March 14, 2023

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

Reflection by Emily Davis

Today's Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

It is no mistake that I was asked to write an additional Gospel reflection, and this is the one. In this passage, the servant who’s huge debt was forgiven won’t forgive his fellow servant a small debt. How many times have you made justifications for yourself but lacked compassion for others?

The lesson in this passage is so immense and yet so humbling and simple if we live forgiveness correctly. In our humanity, we don’t live it correctly, but that’s why we have the Bible, so that we can be reminded and ask forgiveness of our own sins.

"Peter approached Jesus and asked him, '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.'" Matthew 18:21-22

Our Lord, Jesus, gave His holy life in reparation to God the Father for our sins. As Catholics, we say the Our Father, we recognize our sinfulness, and yet, we hesitate to forgive any little or harmless mistakes that our closest family and friends make.

In many ways, not forgiving others is not trusting God. Think about that. All we have to do is ask God for forgiveness and we are forgiven. We don’t always feel like we deserve it, because we are often harshest with ourselves. Again – lack of trust. Jesus’s last words on the cross were “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” And in many moments, we don’t get it right. But we can fix it through Reconciliation, which is the gift that cleans our hearts of sin. The trick is lying at the foot of the cross and not picking it back up.

Working on forgiveness is hard, but it’s essential in our path to heaven.

Ponder:

Are you really willing to forgive others their trespasses against you as God has forgiven and to encourage others to forgive your trespasses against them?

Pray:

Lord, please help me, and anyone reading this, see that lack of forgiveness and compassion are negativities that we don’t need in our lives. Help us to pause and reflect on Your words before we react, lest we cause harm to ourselves and others. In your Holy Name, we pray!

Click to tweet:
As Catholics, we say the Our Father, we recognize our sinfulness, and yet, we hesitate to forgive any little or harmless mistakes that our closest family and friends make. #DailyGospel

Copyright 2023 Emily Davis

Emily Davis is -- Catholic. Texan. Wife. Mama. Grandma. Crafter. Volunteer. Friend. Teacher. Writer. Faith Influencer. Recently made empty nesters, she and her husband, Marque, have been living in Italy since 2018, in support of the Navy/DoD. They are looking forward to this new period in their lives, but miss their children and grandchildren dearly. Emily volunteers for both the Catholic community and military community overseas. Her blog is Our Home, Mary’s Mantle.