Freeing the heart: the long road of forgiveness

Sunday 13 September 2026

Lectio Divina:*

Sirach 27:30-28:7 Psalm 103(102) Romans 14:7-9 Matthew 18:21-35

(See also Luke 17:4)

Meditatio:

‘So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart’  (Matthew 18:35)

Commentary:

This Sunday’s Gospel begins with Peter’s question: how often must he forgive a brother who sins against him? Jesus responds that forgiveness cannot be measured or limited. He then tells the parable of the unforgiving servant and concludes with a solemn warning that forgiveness must come ‘from your heart’.

Forgiveness cuts both ways: our forgiveness of others and God’s forgiveness of us. Jesus has already taught that reconciliation with our neighbour is inseparable from authentic worship (Matthew 5:23-24). Forgiveness is not cheap, nor is it limited to minor grievances. It reaches into the deepest wounds of human experience.

Courage

12^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

21 June 2026

Lectio Divina:

Jeremiah 20:10-13 Psalm 69

Romans 5:12-15 Matthew 10:26-33

Meditatio:

‘..Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.’ (Matthew 10:28)

Commentary:

This Sunday’s readings provide a rich set of resources.  I find them particularly apt for several reasons related to timing as well as the recent political context.  Let me ‘proclaim from the house-tops’ what I have heard in whispers. Let me ‘proclaim from the housetops’ what I have heard in whispers: today is The Day for Life. And, it is Father’s Day at least in this part of the world. One sentence in the statement on the Day for Life caught my attention in particular:

This understanding, however, is not complete without the recognition that, from the beginning, every human being is not just a body but also an immortal soul, with a unique and eternal connection with God, our Creator.

We need to talk about Peter

 

Basilica of Saint Apollinare

Sunday 29 March 2026

 Palm Sunday

Lectio Divina:*

Isaiah 50:4-7 Psalm 22(21)

Philippians 2:5-11 Matthew 26:14 — 27:66

Meditatio:

‘And he went out and wept bitterly’  (Matthew 26:75))

Commentary:

To experience betrayal is a gutting experience. This is all the more when the one who betrayed us was, perhaps, the closest and most loved of persons.  To experience betrayal as one who has perpetrated betrayal is also a gutting experience. This is all the more when the one who does the betraying does it to the closest and most loved of persons.