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Matthew 18:21-35
"To err is human; to forgive, divine," writes the poet Alexander Pope.
But how many times should we forgive someone?
We know from last Sunday's Gospel reading that we should strive for reconciliation, forgiveness and peace. But at what point does one draw the line when the other person continues to offend and ask forgiveness?
The Apostle Peter had the same question in today's Gospel reading. After hearing Jesus' advice on how to deal with those who offend you, Peter wants to know what are the limits of forgiveness. Seven times, he asks?
Jesus first answers him -- 77 times -- a definite number, but also the number of perfection, seven, twice. Then Jesus tells a parable about forgiveness, comparing our forgiveness of one another with God's forgiveness of us.
How many times should we forgive our neighbors? As many times as we want God to forgive us.
Is this difficult and counter-cultural? You bet!
Let us gather together this Sunday at St. Timothy's to pray for Divine Intervention to aid us in forgiving others -- as many times as we are forgiven by God.
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