Today's reading is a good followup on yesterday's reading. God forgives us, and that means we are called to forgive others. The harshness at the end of the passage is a bit disturbing. At the same time, when we have been forgiven it is hypocritical if we aren't willing to forgive.
God bless,
Sam
Matthew
18:21-35
21Then Peter
came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me,
how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to
him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
23“For this
reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle
accounts with his slaves. 24When he began the reckoning, one who
owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25and, as he could
not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children
and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26So the slave fell
on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you
everything.’ 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave
released him and forgave him the debt.
28But that
same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a
hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29Then
his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I
will pay you.’ 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into
prison until he would pay the debt.
31When his
fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they
went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32Then his
lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that
debt because you pleaded with me. 33Should you not have had mercy on
your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34And in anger his lord
handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35So
my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your
brother or sister from your heart.”
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