BE MERCIFUL AS THE FATHER IS MERCIFUL

XXIV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 18:21-35

In our relationship with the others, we are very quick at judging the others, and we do that using two different measures: one for us and another for the others. With the others, we are very strict and even very harsh, spotting the slightest mistake; while with ourselves, we are always very lenient, even with the biggest mistakes. If the others injure us in any way, then we do not forget, but look for revenge instead. We set ourselves up as the rule and the point of reference for any kind of infringement. We are superior to the others, in such a way that we can never forsake our rights and an injury to our assumed dignity is of paramount importance

In the book of Sirach, this kind of attitude is condemned:

“Resentment and anger, these are foul things,

  and both are found with the sinner.

He who exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord,

  who keeps strict account of sin.

Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you,

  and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.

If a man nurses anger against another,

  can he then demand compassion from the Lord?

Showing no pity for a man like himself,

  can he then plead for his own sins?

Mere creature of flesh, he cherishes resentment;

  who will forgive him his sins?” (Sir 27:30 - 28:7)

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable that shows the foolishness of the man who forgets about his own sins and is extremely harsh on the small sins of the others who live or interact with him. As we read in the book of Sirach, “he who exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord”.

In the parable of the unforgiving servant, the king stands for God, and the servant who had a huge debt represents each one of us before God. The debt was so big that we will never be able to pay it back, and all of us deserve to be treated as slaves and to suffer punishment. Even though he had never the intention to pay, when confronted with the dire situation of going to prison, the servant employed delaying tactics, promising to pay if he was given more time. The king felt sorry for him and forgave his debt, not because he deserved it, but purely out of compassion and mercy. On his way out, he met a fellow servant who owed him a little money and demanded his money right there on the spot. In spite of the other’s pleading and promises, he would not listen and would not allow the other to have even a little respite. In his anger, he grabbed the other by the throat in an attempt to choke and strangle him. If we are truthful to ourselves, many times we behave in the same manner towards all those who injured us in any way.

In the end, that wicked servant was put in his right place, receiving the punishment that he deserved because, having received great mercy, he was not able to show a little mercy. And Jesus warns us saying that our Father in heaven will treat us in the same manner if we are not ready to show mercy for the little things that the others do against us. We are called to be merciful as the Father is merciful (Lk 6:36)