‘…forgive your brother or sister from your
heart’ (Matthew 18:35)
Matthew 18:21-35
(Year A: Trinity+13)
- Which is easiest:
- Giving up your life for something or someone?
- Praying, fasting and doing good to everyone?
- Facing martyrdom (not uncommon these days in many parts of the world)?
Actually one of the
hardest sayings of the Gospel is the call to ‘forgive your brother or sister
from your heart’ (Matt 18:35). This calls for something completely radical and,
fairly unique in terms of religious practice and general world outlook: to
forgive those who hurt us, harm us and continue to harm us. To forgive not just
once but again and again. This type of radicalism is sometimes seen as
weakness, submission, even collaboration with evil. Nothing could be further
from the truth.
Forgiveness does not
come easily or naturally. Yet, the witness of many people over the ages stands.
Forgiveness engenders healing in ourselves as well as, potentially,
others. It engenders a positive outlook
and a positive pattern of behaviour.
Christ has set a high
example.
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