Remember - Always Forgive

Beads of Joy 03-29-11

Remember This - Always Forgive
©2011 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everyone,

Isn't this a wake up call to all those who owe others; and at the same time you are trying to collect from those who owe you. This very selfish unforgiving servant couldn't take his eyes off those who owed him. Yet he owed much to the king, but the king showed him tremendous pity and mercy, and so forgave him of his all his debt. Why then did this servant who just received a blessing go out and make a huge problem out of something owed to Him? It makes no sense. This unforgiving servant even had his fellow servant thrown in prison, that was way too harsh. This very mean, unforgiving, selfish servant got what he deserved when the king found out. Now this parable isn't only about the forgiveness of monetary debt, it's more like the forgiveness of emotional debt, when others do wrong to us. How can we beg our Lord for forgiveness, when we ourselves in our own selfishness find it hard to forgive others?

I won't ever say that this is easy. I know first hand what it means to be so angry at someone, that forgiveness is something you would never consider. Especially when that anger is directed towards people who interfere with your own personal family life. There is something very sensitive about that, but with all that said; know that I said it is very difficult, not impossible. Sometimes to best way to begin to take the first steps, towards those you deem unworthy of forgiveness, is to begin by praying for them. Yes another difficult, but not impossible task. But I have found that if you can talk to God in prayer about them, it is so much easier to actually forgive them. God only knows the reason why people do what they do. Only God can judge them, even though we already did, it really needs to be left in God's hands. It is our responsibility to pray for them and forgive them, and sincerely from the heart.

Let keep in mind a few things. God always forgives us, no matter how many times we offend Him, yell at Him, curse Him or hurt others, or sin. The forgiveness we receive, at minimum should be the forgiveness we give to others. It is through the same compassion and understanding that God gives us; that we need to forgive others. It is very helpful to that person you hate to be kind to; while you forgive them and release them from the your hold, you to are released. You do know that when you hold someone else, you are also holding yourself.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35
(The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant)
"Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, `Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, `Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, `You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

Questions To Ponder Today:
-What does this scripture tell about how to treat others?
-Have you ever treated someone like this, who owed you?
-Who owes who what? Are you understanding or are you mean?
-Can you seriously forgive, the unforgivable?
(Today make an attempt to forgive someone you can't.)
If you have a challenge with this, keep praying and trying.

Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO

Today we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries

1. Agony in the Garden
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
3. Crowing with Thorns
4. Carrying of the Cross
5. The Crucifixion of Jesus