Ecclesiasticus 48:1-14 / Matthew 6:7-15
Whenever we talk about sin, we usually put it under two categories: mortal sin or grave sin, and venial sin.
Venial sin are less serious sins, but let us not underestimate them.
Because venial sins can have serious and damaging consequences.
Let's take for example in the family.
After dinner, we might have noticed one family member always avoids the washing of dishes or the cleaning up.
We get irritated, and after a while this irritation becomes a resentment and slowly a bitterness sets within.
And when we can't take it anymore, we confront that person, but we confront that person with a resentment and with bitterness.
Our intended correction becomes a criticism and maybe even a condemnation.
That was why after teaching His disciples to pray, Jesus emphasized on forgiveness.
But it is not about forgiving those who have done us wrong but rather to forgive them for their failings.
Because when we stand before God, we stand before Him as sinners with our own set of failings.
If a sinner cannot forgive another sinner for his failings, then prayer does not make sense, and that was what Jesus was saying.
But when we realize that we are no better than the other person whom we are about to point our finger at, then mercy and forgiveness have already begun to flow in us.