+ In our gospel passage today, Jesus shows his complete
understanding of human nature: he
knows that it is a very difficult thing for people to get along with one
another; that is, people who are still very much “slaves of the concupiscence
of sin” – there just seems to be something inborn that is antagonistic and
antisocial.
This is exactly the state of
being human that Jesus came to redeem, renew and transform (at the price of his
own death on a Cross). And so, in the
passage, he commands us to be kind to one another, thoughtful of one another
and forgiving with one another - as we try to live productive lives.
But for us, this must be taken
one step further. We are the redeemed, we are the forgiven, we are the transformed and so because of
our baptism and sacramental membership in the one body of Christ (the Church) it ought to be really unthinkable for us not
to forgive one another and love one another and be the instrumental cause of transforming
one another into the very holiness of God!
Jesus says then in the passage
forgive your brothers and sisters – from
the heart – as many times as they sin against you (just as God forgives you
the same way); and then do not hold their
transgressions against them (as God does not hold yours against you). This
is difficult for humans, because part of the brokenness that still endures in
us, is our not-so-envious ability to remember every tiny, insignificant detail
– when it pertains to something done against us! But just as God casts our sins into the depths of the
ocean and forgets about them; so we must do the same for one another – we
must pray for the grace of “forgetting.”
Be
patient with us Lord, as we continue to try to deal compassionately
and lovingly with one another, after your own example!
Remember your mercies, O Lord.
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