Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 12th August

Message from Fr Paul for Thursday, 11th August 2021

           Forgiveness lies at the very heart of the Christian faith. The name Jesus means “he who saves his people from their sins” and Jesus died on the Cross precisely for that reason, so that our sins might be forgiven. In the Lord’s Prayer, he taught his disciples to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” The main theme of Matthew’s Gospel chapter 18 is the forgiveness of sins and offences within the Christian community. The parable contained in today’s reading, (Mt 18: 21 – 19:1), ends with this comment from Jesus: “That is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.” Nothing could be clearer, and yet Jesus needs a parable in order to get his message across to his disciples. In fact, the passage begins with a question about forgiveness. “Peter went up to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.’” The answer to that question of Peter is ALWAYS, but even that is not enough for Jesus. Our constant disposition should be that of someone who, like Jesus, lives to forgive others their sins.

           The parable itself, which is quite long, tells the story of a king, who having forgiven the large debt of one of his servants comes to hear that the same servant has not forgiven the small debt of a fellow servant. It begins: “And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants.” Needless to say, the king is angered by the behaviour of the unjust servant He says to that servant, “You wicked servant, I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?” It’s really a parable based on God’s desire that we, his children, should be just, merciful and holy as he, our heavenly Father, is just, merciful and holy, and that we should be forgiving as he himself is forgiving. A child of God follows the example of a loving Father.

           Lord, help us to forgive our neighbour, just as you have forgiven us in Christ. Amen.