The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, August 17, 2006
Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 12:1-12
Psalm 78:56-57, 58-59, 61-62
Matthew 18:21—19:1

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Humans have many abilities gifted to us by God. Immediately the reader might think of one of our most powerful being the ability to love one another. One that is equally as significant is the ability to forgive ourselves and others. This is the topic addressed in the gospel of today as Jesus answers Peter's question about how many times we should forgive our brother who has sinned against us.

It is interesting to “unwrap” some of the emotions involved when we refuse to forgive ourselves and others. One that often enters in is human pride. Perhaps at times we expect more of ourselves and others than is realistic, and we fail to forgive when our expectations are unmet. We forget that we are human and can only do so much. At other times we might refuse to forgive another in order to hold power over them, as though they owe us something for what transpired. This power struggle often goes on for years, and sometimes does not get resolved before the death of loved ones. What if God had treated us in the same manner?

Forgiveness is an interesting subject. We all expect the forgiveness of others, but are we as ready to forgive? If not, why not?

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)