Ecclesiasticus 27:30 – 28:7 / Romans 14:7-9 / Matthew 18:21-35
When it comes to doing something easy, like watching TV or a movie, we will just go lazy and lose track of time.
And when it comes to doing something that we like, for example eating, the limit is the size of our tummy.
But, when it comes to doing something difficult, then we will certainly try to avoid it and resist it.
Even though that difficulty may benefit us, still we will find some excuse not to do it.
But when there is difficulty in doing something, then, there is also much to learn from it and to gain from it.
It is like a principle of life, where there is gain, there will be pain. Or putting it in another way, no pain, no gain.
But more than just the pain and gain equation, the human ability is also manifested.
The human ability to overcome difficulty is put to the test, and with that we will know what we are capable of, as well as what we can learn from it.
In the gospel, Peter asked Jesus if forgiving someone seven times is enough. But Jesus replied by saying that it is not just seven times but 77 times.
Peter asked that question about forgiveness because forgiveness is indeed so difficult.
It is also our experience that when someone wrongs us grievously, it is so difficult to forgive, we will resist forgiving, and we will detest that person.
Even if that person were to ask for forgiveness, we may not be that willing to forgive.
Because, what if that person wrongs us again? Then our forgiveness is taken lightly and taken for granted.
Besides that, we have this resentful side in us that wants to keep that person in a sort of guilty ransom.
And here is where the 1st reading has something to teach us. It says: Resentment and anger, these are foul things. He who exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord. That is clear enough for us.
It goes on to say this: If a man nurses anger against another, showing no pity for another man like himself, how can he ask the Lord for forgiveness for his own sins?
Yes, we are mere creatures of flesh, and we cherish resentment and anger against those who have done us wrong.
As much as the 1st reading pointed out the difficulty of humanity with forgiveness, it also brings us to a deeper reflection and revelation.
That reflection and revelation is emphasized by the word “remember”.
Remember the last things, remember death and disintegration, remember we are ashes and dust, remember the Commandments, remember the Covenant of the Most High.
As we remember all this, we may say that we will try to forgive, but we won't forget.
We can't forget the wrong, we can't forget the hurt and the pain.
But as much as Jesus is asking us to forgive, He is not asking us to forget the pain and hurt.
Jesus Himself did not forget the pain and the hurt of His suffering on the cross. In fact, He even bore the Five Wounds in His hands, His feet and His side.
Those Five Wounds of Jesus will make us remember that prayer of Jesus on the Cross: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
And God our Father, will not forget that prayer of Jesus. God will always forgive, and He will remember that Jesus also prayed for our forgiveness.
So, let us look at Jesus on the Cross, let us look at His Five Wounds.
By His wounds we will be healed. By His wounds we are forgiven.
And let us keep forgiving, just as we are forgiven.
God will always remember to forgive us.
May we always remember to forgive others.