The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to allow the Spirit and our gratitude for forgiveness nudge us to extend our love to those who need our forgiveness.
The reading from the Book of Joshua describes crossing the Jordan to the Promised Land.
* [3:13] Heap: Heb. nēd, the same word found in Ex 15:8; the narrative echoes the ancient Song of Miriam (Ex 15:1–18), which celebrates the crossing of the Red Sea. Thus the language provides another parallel between Joshua and Moses, conquest and exodus.
* [3:15] Season of the harvest: toward the end of March and the beginning of April, when the barley and other crops that grew during the rainy season of winter were reaped. The crossing took place “on the tenth day of the first month” of the Hebrew year, which began with the first new moon after the spring equinox; cf. 4:19. At this time of the year the Jordan would be swollen as a result of the winter rains and the melting snow of Mount Hermon.
* [3:16] Some scholars have suggested that this account may reflect an annual ritual reenactment of the event near the sanctuary of Gilgal. (Joshua, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)
Psalm 114 praises God’s Wonders at the Exodus.
* [Psalm 114] A hymn celebrating Israel’s escape from Egypt, journey through the wilderness, and entry into the promised land, and the miracles of nature that bore witness to God’s presence in their midst. In the perspective of the Psalm, the people proceed directly from Egypt into the promised land (Ps 114:1–2). Sea and Jordan, which stood like soldiers barring the people from their land, flee before the mighty God as the earth recoils from the battle (Ps 114:3–4). The poet taunts the natural elements as one taunts defeated enemies (Ps 114:5–6). (Psalms, PSALM 114, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew teaches forgiveness through the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.
* [18:21–35] The final section of the discourse deals with the forgiveness that the disciples are to give to their fellow disciples who sin against them. To the question of Peter how often forgiveness is to be granted (Mt 18:21), Jesus answers that it is to be given without limit (Mt 18:22) and illustrates this with the parable of the unmerciful servant (Mt 18:23–34), warning that his heavenly Father will give those who do not forgive the same treatment as that given to the unmerciful servant (Mt 18:35). Mt 18:21–22 correspond to Lk 17:4; the parable and the final warning are peculiar to Matthew. That the parable did not originally belong to this context is suggested by the fact that it really does not deal with repeated forgiveness, which is the point of Peter’s question and Jesus’ reply.
* [18:22] Seventy-seven times: the Greek corresponds exactly to the LXX of Gn 4:24. There is probably an allusion, by contrast, to the limitless vengeance of Lamech in the Genesis text. In any case, what is demanded of the disciples is limitless forgiveness.
* [18:24] A huge amount: literally, “ten thousand talents.” The talent was a unit of coinage of high but varying value depending on its metal (gold, silver, copper) and its place of origin. It is mentioned in the New Testament only here and in Mt 25:14–30.
* [18:26] Pay you back in full: an empty promise, given the size of the debt.
* [18:28] A much smaller amount: literally, “a hundred denarii.” A denarius was the normal daily wage of a laborer. The difference between the two debts is enormous and brings out the absurdity of the conduct of the Christian who has received the great forgiveness of God and yet refuses to forgive the relatively minor offenses done to him.
* [18:34] Since the debt is so great as to be unpayable, the punishment will be endless.
* [18:35] The Father’s forgiveness, already given, will be withdrawn at the final judgment for those who have not imitated his forgiveness by their own. (Matthew, CHAPTER 18, n.d.)
Eileen Wirth comments that the triangular understanding of forgiveness can be frightening if you view God as a harsh judge or comforting if you think of God as a merciful parent who knows our limits as we try to forgive.
God understands our emotions that impede our ability to decide to forgive. While we can’t just rid ourselves of such emotions, we can try to override them by turning them over to God.
It’s also comforting to realize that when we have made a good faith effort to make amends, God is in charge regardless of what the other party does.
Successful examples of forgiving others and taking responsibility for our offenses can assist us.
At my brother’s recent 50th anniversary vow renewal, I was reminded that most forgiveness transactions reflect the mundane difficulties of living with other people.
Instead of just repeating the promises they made 50 years ago, my brother and his wife told each other how much they still love each other and why. Then they both asked for forgiveness for problems they have caused in daily life and promised to try to do better with God’s help.
I’ve been thinking of ways to emulate their forgiveness model instead of clinging to my grievances and annoyances. That’s the most important thing that the loving God at the apex of the forgiveness triangle demands or expects. (Wirth, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “How often shall I forgive?” by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD).
"When Peter asked him whether he should forgive his brother sinning against him up to seven times, the Lord replied, 'Not up to seven times but up to seventy times seven times'" In every way he teaches us to be like him in humility and goodness. In weakening and breaking the impulses of our rampant passions he strengthens us by the example of his leniency, by granting us in faith pardon of all our sins. For the vices of our nature did not merit pardon. Therefore all pardon comes from him. In fact, he pardons even those sins that remain in one after confession. The penalty to be paid through Cain was established at sevenfold, but that sin was against a man, against his brother Abel, to the point of murder (Genesis 4:8). But in Lamech the penalty was established at seventy times seven times (Genesis 4:24), and, as we believe, the penalty was established on those responsible for the Lord's Passion. But the Lord through the confession of believers grants pardon for this crime. By the gift of baptism he grants the grace of salvation to his revilers and persecutors. How much more is it necessary, he shows, that pardon be returned by us without measure or number. And we should not think how many times we forgive, but we should cease to be angry with those who sin against us, as often as the occasion for anger exists. Pardon's frequency shows us that in our case there is never a time for anger, since God pardons us for all sins in their entirety by his gift rather than by our merit. Nor should we be excused from the requirement of giving pardon that number of times [i.e., seventy times seven], since through the grace of the gospel God has granted us pardon without measure." (excerpt from ON MATTHEW 18.10) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 18:21–19:1 comments that it is important to keep in mind that forgiveness does not often come instantaneously. Pursuing it requires just as much patience and mercy with ourselves as it does for the ones who have wronged us. There will surely be moments when we fall back into anger and frustration. But each time we do, we can call on the Lord and ask for more of his mercy and grace. It’s a prayer that he loves to answer.
“For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). Don’t let the bitterness and resentment of unforgiveness shackle you. Believe that with God’s grace, you can live in the freedom that is yours in Christ.
“Jesus, I want to be free! Help me forgive all those who have hurt me.”(Meditation on Matthew 18:21–19:1, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that Joshua receives signs as powerful as Moses. Peter uses the number seven that signifies infinity when he asks Jesus about the number of times we must forgive. Jesus responds by multiplying Peter’s infinite number to no limit on forgiveness. Friar Jude presents an explanation of Purgatory that is connected to the consequences of withholding forgiveness in the Gospel of Matthew.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author and spiritual director Therese Taylor-Stinson who describes Harriet Tubman (1822–1913) as a public mystic and freedom fighter.
Minty, soon to be called Moses by the slave catchers and Harriet Tubman in her newly found freedom, had a deep connection with a Supreme Being and a deep conviction that she was called to her freedom in order to lead others to the same. Through the many strains of her service to free the enslaved within her reach, she can be firmly seen as a public mystic. Though her narcolepsy was a lifelong disability, Minty used those moments of unscheduled sleep to hear from a God who had no boundaries. She even used her brain injury to discern her path to freedom and to trust Divine leading. Harriet Tubman had a strong conviction to make her life and actions matter for the larger community. [2] (Rohr, 2022)
We ponder the restriction on our freedom to live fully caused by unforgiveness.
References
Joshua, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 17, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/joshua/3?7
Matthew, CHAPTER 18. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 17, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/18?21
Meditation on Matthew 18:21–19:1. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved August 17, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/08/17/761623/
Psalms, PSALM 114. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 17, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/114?1
Rohr, R. (2022, October 2). A Legacy of Liberation. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-legacy-of-liberation-2023-08-17/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Lord, How Often Shall I Forgive My Brother? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 17, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=aug17
Wirth, E. (2023, August 17). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved August 17, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/081723.html
No comments:
Post a Comment