In today’s Gospel Peter asked a question that I am sure most of us have asked at one time or another: “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often must I forgive them?” At times forgiveness is easy but at times it may seem difficult if not impossible to forgive. Peter thinks he is being very generous with his follow-up question: “As many as seven times?” Jesus answers: “Not enough!” Peter’s willingness to forgive should be unlimited because God’s forgiveness and mercy is unlimited. Jesus’ reply seems to make forgiveness even more difficult and even more impossible. Jesus tells a parable to show us that forgiveness is not an action but a reaction, a reaction to the overflowing love and mercy of God.
Jesus tells the parable of the wicked or unforgiving servant. The servant is called wicked because he fails to forgive after experiencing forgiveness. This servant owed an astronomical debt to his master. He asks his master for time: “Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.” His master is “moved with compassion” and forgave his whole debt. After this servant experiences this overwhelming gift of compassion and forgiveness, he meets a fellow servant who owes him a trifle. This fellow servant asked for time using the same words this servant used with his master: “Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.” When he fails to show compassion and forgiveness his master summoned him: “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?” The master calls this servant wicked because he has taken nothing from his own experience. Through the generous and prodigal action of his master the servant experienced great forgiveness. He should have reacted to his fellow servant with his same compassion.
Forgiveness is difficult, especially when we have been hurt deeply and our anger is justified. We tend to focus on why this person does not deserve our compassion and forgiveness. This focus tends to just increase our anger. Jesus suggests we focus instead on our Master, God, who has forgiven us of our debt or trespasses. Jesus wants us not only to be touched but to be overwhelmed by the love and mercy of God. This experience starts us on the road to forgive the other. This forgiveness might take a lifetime but we have started on the path that Jesus sets before us.
Image: “Return of the Prodigal Son” by lluisribesmateᥩ is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.