Fresh Dew Media

 24^TH SUNDAY, YEAR A: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: THE HARD TEACHING ON FORGIVENESS

(Matthew18:21-35)

Peter is always presenting the problem of the community of believers. He usually comes as a person, but at a closer study of the problems he presents, one would also hear the voice of many other persons or groups of persons.

Today, the problem is on forgiveness. To forgive is divine, to err is human. Peter may have come to be congratulated for even forgiving at all. He may have come to show Jesus Christ that he has started observing the new law of turning the other cheek as against the Judaic observance of an eye for an eye, tooth for tooth. To put the question “how many?” implies that he must have been offended more than once, and yet he forgave. To suggest seven times to Jesus could mean that he is patiently waiting for the last chance to strike. These are all human limitations and human ways of accepting the teaching on forgiveness.

 

HUMAN PERCEPTION OF FORGIVENESS

It is often said “there is a limit to what a man can take”. This is true. Basing our argument here, we come up with human logics like “evula ako’ (ihe o ga eme gi ugboro ole, gi amuru ihe? How many times will something happen to you, before you learn from it?), “nke ato ya ato” (three is the last chance), “otu ezuola” (one is enough, once beaten twice shy).

Our human wisdom suggests numberless ideas to us. We may hear it from our voice within or from people around us: Julian, are you not foolish to forgive this person again? Do you know what next he/she will do after this one? Do you want to experience this heartbreak again? Why not leave him or her alone and be on your own? Okay, what about just telling him or her “I have forgiven you” just to stop him from the disturbance of pleading and yet keep the grudges?

In our human wisdom, we most of the time go to the extreme of saying “over my dead body”. This statement is indeed what leads to seizing by the throat, which we saw in today’s gospel. It may also lead to another expression “it is over”.

 The ordinary human response to offences is “seizing by the throat”. When he makes up his mind to do the seizing, he forgets that he has once or twice been a victim. He must have offended others at one time or the other. He also tries to keep God aside. Thus, we often hear around us; keep God aside, keep religion, keep Christianity aside, “M mechaa gi ya, ọ kwa ihea I merem?” I will show you. With the empowerment we’ve got by the person’s offence towards us, we decide really to deal with him. Do we have that power? No. the only power given to us is the power to forgive and let go.

 

WHY YOU MUST FORGIVE; DIVINE PERSPECTIVE

Having heard the human perspective, seen the various human responses to offence and sin, Jesus comes from above with divine wisdom to help us tackle the problem of unforgiving spirit. He makes it clear to us that we are not angels and we are not living with angels, and as such, we must be offended at one time or the other. He underscores the fact that these offences will not set any boundary to forgiveness. He says: Mr. Peter, keep forgiving; Fr. Julian, don’t get tired of forgiving.

 

WAIT A MINUTE GOD

But God, wait a minute, you mean I should continue forgiving that nagging wife of mine? You mean I should allow this man who destroyed my car to go? You mean I should pardon this woman who accused me falsely after suffering for what I never did?

My dear, God will say it is not easy humanly speaking, but with me, all things are possible. Yes, forgive. You've got the grace to do so. On the cross, I forgave them and excused them on grounds that they knew not what they did. Stephen, one of you forgave his murderers and prayed for them, Pope John Paul II forgave the man who wished him dead, who shot him. Find a space in your heart and forgive my child. I know how heartbroken you are. I know how painful you feel right now, and I know how wounded you're right now. Try forgiveness.

 

FORGIVENESS HEALS YOU

 Forgiveness heals you: when you forgive, you free yourself. You begin anew, you become light, you heal two persons for Christ, yourself and the offender. It is a great miracle. It is not easy, but stand on the grace of God and let go not for the offender's sake but for God’s sake.

Remember, child of God, the golden rule of doing unto others as you will want others do unto you. ("Onweghi onye siri shiwere ya mmiri oku na ya gaje ida elu"). You will err someday, you will offend people too. You will expect them to forgive you just as you offend God on a daily basis and pray “forgive us our trespasses”. So do not forget those who trespass against you. They, too, are pleading for mercy whether they say it or not. Be a child of your heavenly Father who is full of compassion, slow to anger, and abounding in love.

 

FORGIVENESS ATTRACTS DIVINE FAVOURS

Forgiveness opens the gates of heaven for favours to rain down. When Jesus forgave on the cross, the heavens opened for Him, and for those he forgave. When Stephen forgave, he saw the opened heavens. When you forgive, it will surprise you what great peace you will experience. So forgive yourself, your wife, your husband, your boss, etc.

 

STOP OFFENDING

But come, yea, I mean you. Why do you derive joy in constantly offending others and tempting them not to forgive? Change! stop hurting people, especially knowingly stop pushing people to the wall. Know how fragile the heart is and don’t play with it. Have you offended anyone? Ask for forgiveness. "I am sorry" alone can do a lot of wonders. Be humble. Be calm. Don't allow anger and pride to take the lead. Do not also be stone-hearted when you are asked for forgiveness.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

LET US PRAY

As you take the decision today to forgive and receive forgiveness, may God almighty have mercy on you, forgive you your sins, and bring you true peace, positive growth, and life everlasting. All these we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen

HAPPY SUNDAY (24TH WEEK, ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A)

REV. FR. JULIAN O EKEH