Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent - March 9, 2021

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Daniel 3:25, 34-43 Matthew 18:21-35

In today’s gospel Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him. “Seven times?” Peter asks. Jesus says, “Not seven times but seventy-seven times.” He goes on to tell the story of two masters who have men in debt to them. The first had an unpayable amount of debt but begged not to have him and his family thrown into prison. The master canceled the man’s entire debt. That same man whose debt was forgiven had one of his own servants who owed him a small debt. Unlike the first master, he showed no mercy to the servant and threw him in jail until his debt could be repaid. Hypocritical, right?

This gospel challenges my own morals and the way I might also be hypocritical at times. The servant had an opportunity to share the good that had happened to him; but he chose to act with contempt toward a man who was in the same unfortunate position he had just been in.

I think society has made it so that money equals power. But in reality, money tears us apart and detaches us from the pure and raw aspects of life. This quote by Socrates explains my feelings, “He is the richest who is content with the least, for contentment is the wealth of nature.” We are servants of God and we are on this beautiful earth to coexist with beautiful people. We can never be in debt to God because his generosity has no limits, and neither does ours.

It is truly a blessing that we get to create ourselves on this earth. One of the things I am learning and working on every day is figuring out that it is okay to outgrow people if they are not supporting you. It is okay for your opinions to change. Lent is a time to prepare ourselves and to start fresh. And by the way, God’s forgiveness and love also have no limits. So don’t be shy to grow and focus on yourself, the image of God.

Q: Which of my opinions have I outgrown over this past year? How have I changed?

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