Matthew 18 - Fr Michael Margitich 2016

Glory be to Jesus Christ. Glory forever. Recently,

I read an article about a young man who works

at the Department of Transportation. strengthening

the white lines that fade in a rural area. Normally

this would be done by a machine, but since the

machine was broken, he was given the task of

painting these lines. On the first day, he managed

to do two miles. The second day, one mile. And

the third day, barely a half mile. His supervisor

wanted to know what the problem seems to be since

he wasn't doing the work that was scheduled to

be done. He said, sir, the reason I'm getting

slower and slower is because the pain can that

I'm using is getting further and further away.

This illustrates, my dear people, how one can

unthinkingly leave behind the core of the Christian

message that Jesus enunciated so clearly. I am

the way, the truth, and the life. Like a number

of parables found in the Gospels reading, Today's

reading is taken from the 18th chapter of Matthew.

And Jesus told this parable in response to a

question that Peter raised. Peter said, Lord,

how many times should a person be expected to

forgive? Is seven times seven sufficient? Because

in the old rabbinic school, it was only required

to do it three times. So Peter thought he was

doing a great deal. Seven times. No, Jesus said,

not seven times, but 70 times seven. In order

to give us a better understanding of what the

real true implications are of this parable, Jesus

said the following. And it's called the parable

of the unforgiving servant. Jesus said a certain

king. discovered that one of his close financial

counselors had accumulated an incredible amount

of debt against the treasury. A debt that he

couldn't repay even in a hundred years. The king,

however, insisted that the payment must be done

immediately. But the counselor said, sir, I'm

unable to do that. Have mercy on me. Pity me.

Forgive me the debt. And the king forgave him

the debt. And as he walked away in delirious

joy, for he was forgiven such a huge debt. He

encountered one of his co -workers who owed him

really an insignificant amount, an amount that

should have been overlooked long time ago. Because

his co -worker was unable to give him that money

at the time, he had him thrown into prison. When

the king heard of what he had done and how ungrateful

the counselor was, the king reminded him how

much he was forgiven. And Jesus said this, very

sobering words. Because you could not find in

your heart to offer forgiveness to him, you who

was forgiven so much, you must suffer the consequences.

And then our Lord ended the parable with these

very uncomfortable words. This is how our Heavenly

Father will deal with you unless you forgive

one another. This particular topic on forgiveness

is found throughout the New Testament. And like

the teachings on love, it has meaning, importance,

and relevance for all times and for all people.

For all people. I want to say to you in a loving

and direct way why we should forgive those who

have wronged us or who have taken advantage of

us. Why? Because the Word of God commands us

to do precisely that. Jesus said, we not only

should forgive, but we should pray for one another.

Even for our enemies. This is not a matter about

morality. It is the very essence of the Christian

gospel. Because God is love. He created us in

love. He died for us because of his love for

us. Why we should forgive? Because our Lord himself

gave us an unforgettable image, an example. Of

forgiveness. When he cried out from the cross.

The words that still. Resonate. Throughout the

quarters of time. Father. Forgive them. Forgive

them. Why should we forgive. Because forgiveness

is not an option. Love and forgiveness are supreme

and surpass all Christian duties. Our relationship

to God is directly related to our relationship

to one another. They can't be separated. And

in that first epistle of John, the evangelist

of love tells us, if you can't forgive your brother

whom you see, how can you love God whom you cannot

see? To hold a grudge, my dear people, takes

a deep and dreadful psychological and spiritual

toll. Grudge holders, listen carefully, grudge

holders are grave diggers, and the only grave

they dig is their own. my pastoral life, I think

the most unhappy and frustrated individuals are

the persons who can't forgive. You heard in the

gospel, in the epistle today, we Christians must

be models and images of forgiveness. We forgive

because it is necessary for our own spiritual

health and growth. We forgive because our Lord

commands us to do so. He said, a new commandment

I give unto you. That you love one another. But

he didn't stop there. That you love one another

as I love you. We forgive. Because we are daily

forgiven. Daily. Our name. God's mercy. Is upon

us. And if you remember. What Father Lawrence

said. Some time ago. He said from this pulpit.

If you can't forgive. You can't say the Lord's

prayer. Forgive us our debts or trespasses or

whatever as we forgive others. I know throughout

my pastoral life this has been a theme which

bears heavily on my soul. Because I know people

He said this to me in confession. I forgive what

I will forget. If you forget love, if you forget

how to forgive, Then your spiritual life will

have serious consequences. You know, in that

13th chapter of Corinthians that was read in

the epistle, St. Paul said, it doesn't matter

if you have a dozen degrees or post -doctoral

degrees. If you can't love and forgive, then

you're nothing but a trying symbol. And he says,

even if you give whatever amount you give, but

if you can't love your brother, then that's not

love. If you forgive, but let the handle Of anguish.

And anger. And disappointment. Stand. In your

way. Then your Christian faith. Is in question

my dear people. Love one another. Forgive one

another. Because we are all wrong. We all make

mistakes. And sometimes, unthinkingly, like the

painter, we leave behind the core of the Christian

faith. And thus, we suffer the consequences.

And that's what Jesus said in a very sobering

way. This will happen to everyone who cannot

forgive. In the name of the Father, the Son,

and the Holy Spirit. Amen.