|
1.Dan
3:25.34-43
|
Gospel:
Mt18:21-35
|
REFLECTIONS AND
MEDITATIONS
The formal president of the United States of America Mr. G. Bush hated Saddam Hussein the formal president of Iraq, that he sent his troops to
Iraq, to ruin Baghdad and to topple Saddam's Hussein regime! Mr. Bush attacked
Iraq on March 20 (3:20) 2003. Hatred literally kills! How many innocent women
and children were killed in Iraq, not to mention the soldiers from allied
forces and the Iraq army? and how many more lives will be wasted if the
hatred-filled terrorists will keep on growing?
Jesus knows the effect of anger. We don't have to
go to Iraq or anywhere to witness such events. It they happen within our own
families. Many marriages are broken because of unforgiveness. Good relationship
turn sour because nobody wants to forgive.
How many kinds of
forgiveness do we have in the Bible?
there are five kinds of forgiveness. First is Judicial forgiveness. This is the
forgiveness of all sins of the one who has trusted Christ, (Acts 26: 18; Eph.1:7).
Second is Paternal Forgiveness. This is restoration of fellowship with God
after we have committed sin. The conditions under this kind of forgiveness are
two fold: a) Confession ( 1John 1:9; John 13:4-10); (b) Forgiveness of others.
Third is Personal Forgiveness. This is the restoration of our fellowship with
others. This is important because Jesus teaches us that we are forgiven if we
are willing to forgive others, (Mt 6:14-15), Fourth is social forgiveness, this
is the restoration of our fellowship with society,( John 8:1-10). This may
involve us in programs and ministries of our parish. Fifth is the Ecclesiastical
Forgiveness: This is the restoration of fellowship with the church ( 2Cor.
2:5-11). This forgiveness assumes a prior discipline by the church. The purpose
of discipline is restoration; and forgiveness assumes repentance and
restoration.
Dear friends in Christ,
Jesus wants us to imitate the forgiving master in today's parable. The genuine
test of our Christian faith is our readiness to forgive. Love withstands anger
and forgets offenses( 1Cor 13:5). Surely I don't believe in God who looks for
reasons to punish us for being less than perfect. God knows how complicated
human life is , how difficult it is to be good person all the time. Even the
best people cannot get everything right every time. God does not expect a
perfect life but an honest effort at a good one. Life is not a test in which
the passing grade is 100% and anything less is a failure.
Let us ask ourselves
this simple question that if God could not love flawed and imperfect people,
then he would be very lonely because imperfect people are the only ones around.
If we cannot accept, love and forgive people with all their imperfections, we
condemn ourselves to frustrations and loneliness as well.
PASTORAL
APPLICATION
Forgiveness is very
hard to do especially if we are hurt due to past troubles, rejection and
humiliation, suspicion and distrust. Forgiveness hurts especially when it is
extended to somebody who does not deserve it; has not earned it; and may misuse
it. Forgiveness also costs especially when it means accepting instead of
demanding repayment for the wrong done;
releasing the other instead of exacting revenge; reaching out in love
instead of relinquishing resentments. In our day to day living we are invited
always to forgive since forgiveness is one of the healing process. Forgiveness
is our deepest need and at the same time, our highest achievement. Let us set
the other person free through confession of our sins and prayer. This is what
we call true forgiveness that we and the world so greatly long for.
Hakuna maoni:
Chapisha Maoni