Word to the Wise
Thursday, August 14, 2025 - Thursday in the 19th Week in Ordinary Time
[Josh 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17 and Matt 18:21—19:1]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]
AUGUST 14 ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE, ofm.conv. - priest and martyr
"Do I have to forgive________for what he/she/they did to me?" I have heard that question many times, especially during my years as a full time itinerant preacher of parish missions around the USA. Indeed, the "examination of conscience" that I lead at the Reconciliation Service at each parish mission is focused entirely on forgiveness and not on a list of possible sins! Jesus' answer to the question is clear, but he reinforced it with the parable of the unforgiving servant who receives complete forgiveness of a huge debt, but refuses to forgive a fellow servant a very small one.
It can be difficult to understand that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is not just about receiving forgiveness, but also about sharing forgiveness. If we want to imitate Jesus, we have to ask ourselves how willing are we to forgive? Real love means real forgiveness, as any happily married couple can testify to. Unforgiveness is a burden that some people choose to carry all their lives. One morning after the Reconciliation Service I led at a parish mission, a gentleman who was past middle age came up to me and thanked me for the service because he said he was finally able to forgive his mother!
The parable of the unforgiving servant provides the answer to the question posed above. The answer is YES. AMEN