SHARE THE LOVE

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Sir, how often should I forgive a brother who sins against me? Seven times?” “No!” Jesus replied, “seventy times seven!” – Matthew 18:21-22

There was an elder in a community who was so holy and righteous, it was like everything he said was anointed by heaven. Everyone adored him because of his eloquence, wisdom, and charisma. Everything was heaven until Jack, a community member, was hired by the company this elder works for. Jack got the shock of his life when he witnessed his beloved elder act like Adolf Hitler, a real-life corporate dictator who talked down to his staff and always quarreled with others.

Jack’s faith was further shaken when he met another boss in the office who was a nonbeliever but was gentle, kind, understanding, empowering, and worked as a team player that everyone in the company loved.

Sadly, this elder is a hypocrite who acts good in community but is evil elsewhere. If we don’t appreciate the mercy we receive from God and share this with others, we might end up like him. But take heart. God’s love is unlimited. His mercy will never run dry.

Friend, whatever grace and love you receive from God, share it immediately with others. See how this will create a blessing cycle in your life. JPaul Hernandez (jpaulmh@yahoo.com)

Reflect: Who are the three people in your life who need to experience God’s love through your kindness?

Father, please increase my capacity to love so that I may reflect Your goodness to every person that I meet. Amen.

Blessed Didacus of Cadiz, pray for us.

The words of Daniel are prophetic. The Temple sacrifices have been taken away from the Jews because they have been exiled. So, Daniel speaks of the only sacrifice left to the people—that of a contrite heart and humble spirit. Like Daniel, the Beatitudes speak of our hearts being surrendered to God and His calling for us. As we reflect on Daniel’s words, let us discover what God is telling us.

Daniel 3:25, 34-43

25 Azariah stood up in the fire and prayed aloud: 34 for your name’s sake, O Lord, do not deliver us up forever, or make void your covenant. 35 Do not take away your mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham, your beloved, Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one, 36 to whom you promised to multiply their offspring like the stars of heaven, or the sand on the shore of the sea. 37 For we are reduced, O Lord, beyond any other nation, brought low everywhere in the world this day because of our sins. 38 We have in our day no prince, prophet, or leader, no burnt offering, sacrifice, oblation, or incense, no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with you. 39 But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received; 40 as though it were burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, or thousands of fat lambs, so let our sacrifice be in your presence today as we follow you unreservedly; for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame. 41 And now we follow you with our whole heart, we fear you and we pray to you. 42 Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy. 43 Deliver us by your wonders, and bring glory to your name, O Lord.”

Psalm 25:4-5, 6, 7, 8, 9

R: Remember your mercies, O Lord.

4 Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. (R) 6 Remember that your compassion, O Lord, and your kindness are from of old. 7 In your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. (R) 8 Good and upright is the Lord; thus he shows sinners the way. 9 He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way. (R) 

GOSPEL 

God’s mercy and love are at their strongest when shared with others. We multiply blessings as we share them—the more blessings we share, the more people we touch. If we overcome our selfishness, there would no longer be disparities of wealth, and the world would be a better place for us.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart; for I am gracious and merciful.

Matthew 18:21-35

21 Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. 23 That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. 25 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. 26 At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ 27 Moved with compassion, the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. 28 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.’ 29 Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ 30 But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. 31 Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. 32 His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. 33 Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ 34 Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. 35 So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

think: “Forgiveness is the final form of love.” - Reinhold Niebuhr

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T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST 

 

Read the Bible in one year - Genesis 37-39   

 

 

UNLI-FORGIVENESS

The “unli” culture in Philippine setting was set off by the phenomenon of “unli-rice,” started by a famous chain that offered mainly roasted chicken dishes. Soon, more than rice was offered on an unlimited basis.

Today, the Gospel speaks of unli-forgiveness. This was a far cry from what—once upon a time—was the cap to forgiving others who repeat the same offense: the cap of three times. Beyond three, one had the right to withhold forgiveness. Or so the rabbis of old thought.

The Lord didn’t bat an eyelash answering Peter’s question: “How often must I forgive?” Without hesitation, the Lord answered, “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” In short, there was no cap. It was a case of unli-forgiveness, a boundless willingness to forgive one’s brother (or sister).

Let us be honest. It flies in the face of earthly common sense and day-to-day experience. It is hard to ignore the way politicians ram down our throats their multiple agenda, always made to appear like the people’s will. It is hard to love—let alone forgive—those who consistently do us wrong or take advantage of us, or who continuously mislead us by doling out fake news, or by defending what is indefensible, simply because the dear leader has to be protected. It is hard to forgive those who have crossed us repeatedly, but who do not ever find it in their hearts to at least acknowledge their faults and wrongdoings. And in this age of runaway social media, populated by haters and flamers, it is hard to forgive those who do rash judgment on us on the basis of one honest post, just because you don’t belong to the group associated with those in power, or those who want to get back once more in power.

There is, to be honest, unli-hatred and non-acceptance in the world. People’s anger, especially in social media, seems to be limitless. The Lord tells us in no uncertain terms how not to be co-opted by the mainstream. Go “unli” in terms of forgiveness. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS -------

Is there a person in your life who repeatedly does you wrong? What does today’s Gospel say to you?

Just as You repeatedly forgive me of my transgressions, Lord, may I find it in my heart to forgive others too. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ______________________________