Providence Prayer and Forgiveness

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary invite us to seek and accept the support of God through prayer and forgiveness of our debts as we also forgive our debtors.

Prayer for Forgiveness

The Reading from the Book of Daniel proclaims the Prayer of Azariah

* [3:24–90] These verses are additions to the Aramaic text of Daniel, translated from the Greek form of the book. They were probably first composed in Hebrew or Aramaic, but are no longer extant in the original language. The Roman Catholic Church has always regarded them as part of the canonical Scriptures.

* [3:25] Azariah: i.e., Abednego; cf. Dn 1:7. (“Daniel, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB,” n.d.)

Psalm 25 mixes ardent pleas with expressions of confidence in God.

* [Psalm 25] A lament. Each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Such acrostic Psalms are often a series of statements only loosely connected. The psalmist mixes ardent pleas (Ps 25:1–2, 16–22) with expressions of confidence in God who forgives and guides. (“Psalms, PSALM 25 | USCCB,” n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches forgiveness with 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 | USCCB,” n.d.)

Kimberly Grassmeyer shares thoughts about Jesus telling us that we must forgive our brethren not seven times, but seventy-seven times, as in today’s Gospel lesson.

Forgiveness asks only that we clear OUR hearts.  The ‘other’ then has their own decision to make, in terms of what they choose to do with our forgiveness.

Jesus wants to help us clear our hearts of such pain.  God’s promise of love is actualized when we can lay down the burden of anger, hatred, or frustration, even when the pain of a physical loss, injury, or death are the outcome requiring a compassionate response. NOT forgiving can deepen and prolong the pain we already carry.  True forgiveness can heal it.  Jesus is asking us to forgive, always, as he so eloquently did on the Cross.  I pray that with God’s help, I’ll be able to meet that call each and every time. Amen. (Grassmeyer, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “A daily remedy for our sins,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors. Let us say this sentence with sincerity, because it is an alms in itself. Sins that oppress and bury us cannot be termed trifles! What is more minute than drops of rain? Yet they fill the rivers. What is more minute than grains of wheat? Yet they fill the barns. You note the fact that these sins are rather small, but you do not take note that there are many of them. In any case, God has given us a daily remedy for them." (excerpt from Sermon 205,1) (Schwager, n.d.)

 

Friar Jude Winkler notes the hymn in the Book of Daniel is proclaimed when the young men including Azariah are thrown into the furnace and need God’s intervention. In Matthew’s Gospel, Peter asks about forgiving an infinite number of times and Jesus cites that there is no limit for forgiveness. God has forgiven us and we forgive others because of their need and we recognize their brokenness. Friar Jude comments that we may have to keep some toxic people at arm’s length. He cites the observation that resentment is poison for us as Nelson Mandella knew and warned us against.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Daniel 3:25, 34-43 comments that in this dangerous situation, Azariah does what he has always done, in good times and bad: he turns to the Lord and prays. His habit of praying in every situation has become so ingrained in him that he naturally turns to prayer even in the most dire circumstances. So let’s use this prayer as a model for ourselves.

Like Azariah, we should always start our prayer with God himself.

Like Azariah, we should confess our wrongdoing and repent for ourselves and on behalf of God’s people.

Third, Azariah promises that Israel will “follow [God] unreservedly.” 

Finally, Azariah asks God to bless his people. 

May we all follow Azariah’s example as we come to the Lord in prayer in good times and in bad!

“Lord, teach me to pray, especially when it is difficult.” (“Meditation on Daniel 3:25, 34-43,” n.d.)

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Author Barbara Brown Taylor who describes the suffering we experience when we live from a sense of disconnection.

Repentance begins with the decision to return to relationship: to accept our God-given place in community, and to choose a way of life that increases life for all members of that community. Needless to say, this often involves painful changes, which is why most of us prefer remorse to repentance. We would rather say, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I feel really, really awful about what I have done” than actually start doing things differently.…

“All sins are attempts to fill voids,” wrote the French philosopher Simone Weil. Because we cannot stand the God-shaped hole inside of us, we try stuffing it full of all sorts of things, but it refuses to be filled. It rejects all substitutes…. It is the holy of holies inside of us, which only God may fill….

I do not believe that sin is the enemy we often make it out to be, at least not when we recognize it and name it as such. When we see how we have turned away from God, then and only then do we have what we need to begin turning back. Sin is our only hope, the fire alarm that wakes us up to the possibility of true repentance. (Rohr, 2025)

We ask the Spirit to guide our wisdom in our prayer, contemplation, and action to understand and act to be people of freedom through forgiveness.

References

Daniel, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 10, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/3?25 

Grassmeyer, K. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved March 10, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-march-10-2026 

Matthew, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 10, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/18?21 

Meditation on Daniel 3:25, 34-43. (n.d.). Word Among Us. https://wau.org/meditations/2026/03/10/1515595/ 

Psalms, PSALM 25 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 10, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/25?4 

Rohr, R. (2025, March 13). Disconnected Living. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved March 10, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/disconnected-living/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). How Often Shall I Forgive? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 10, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Fire and Truth

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today alert us to the opposition we often encounter from the “world” to the piety, study, and action we pursue as disciples of Jesus.

Pursue Truth

The reading from the Book of Daniel describes the protection of God in the Fiery Furnace.

* [3:24–90] These verses are additions to the Aramaic text of Daniel, translated from the Greek form of the book. They were probably first composed in Hebrew or Aramaic, but are no longer extant in the original language. The Roman Catholic Church has always regarded them as part of the canonical Scriptures.

* [3:25] Azariah: i.e., Abednego; cf. Dn 1:7. (Daniel, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

The response is the Prayer of Azariah from Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 

In the Gospel of John, Jesus dialogues with the Pharisees about Abraham and True Disciples

* [8:31–59] Jesus’ origin (“before Abraham”) and destiny are developed; the truth will free them from sin (Jn 8:34) and death (Jn 8:51).

* [8:31] Those Jews who believed in him: a rough editorial suture, since in Jn 8:37 they are described as trying to kill Jesus.

* [8:33] Have never been enslaved to anyone: since, historically, the Jews were enslaved almost continuously, this verse is probably Johannine irony, about slavery to sin.

* [8:35] A slave…a son: an allusion to Ishmael and Isaac (Gn 16; 21), or to the release of a slave after six years (Ex 21:2; Dt 15:12).

* [8:38] The Father: i.e., God. It is also possible, however, to understand the second part of the verse as a sarcastic reference to descent of the Jews from the devil (Jn 8:44), “You do what you have heard from [your] father.”

* [8:39] The works of Abraham: Abraham believed; cf. Rom 4:11–17; Jas 2:21–23. (John, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Carol Zuegner comments that God doesn’t ask her to face a fiery furnace, but he does ask her to find him in all things, to live out the Gospel in large and small ways.

I have to face the truth in my everyday life that my sins of omission and commission are weighing me down. It is those small sins that add up: an unkind word here, paying more attention to things than people, being too busy to pray or fast or abstain, holding back my forgiveness to satisfy some grudge. My own furnace is little flames of turning away from God and my best self because it’s convenient or easier or satisfies some petty urge.

The truth is that it is the small things that animate the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself and make up the mosaic of our lives: To take the time to listen, to care, to do the right thing, to stand up for what’s right, to take the time for thanks, for a kind word.

The truth is we face the tests of our faith every day. We won’t pass all of the tests, but we can work on being and doing more than we are now. (Zuegner, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The upright of heart,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Do you know who the upright of heart are? They are those who wish what God wishes. Therefore, do not try to twist God's will to you own but correct your will to that of God. The will of God is a rule of conduct. By it you have the means of being converted and of correcting your evil ways." (excerpt from Commentary on Psalm 93,18) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 8:31-42 comments that Jesus promises all of us that when we “remain” in his word, the truth contained in that word will set us free (John 8:31, 32). We are all on a journey toward that freedom.

When we dwell on Jesus and ponder his words, we find the grip of sin loosening. We begin to feel a fire in our hearts because we are experiencing the power of his love. And that love leads us to action. It leads us to care for the least among us, and it leads us to share the good news of Christ with those trapped in sin. We discover the paradoxical secret to happiness: that freedom comes not from going our own way, but from following Jesus, the Savior who truly sets us free!

“Jesus, thank you for your words, which bring life to my soul, and for your love, which frees me from the bondage of sin!” (Meditation on John 8:31-42, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that the passage from Daniel is from the 2nd Century BCE, during the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the persecution of the Seleucid Empire, but is set in the time of Nebuchadnezzar and the exile in Babylon, four centuries earlier. The young men in the furnace are protected by a fourth person who looks like a “Son of God”. Friar Jude notes that the dialogue of Jesus with the Pharisees in John's Gospel, the teaching is about “Who God is”, “What He wants of us”, and how much He loves us.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces contemplative theologian Belden Lane who shares the countercultural stance of the desert abbas and ammas.

A second major theme in the theological grounding of these desert Christians was their emphasis on radical forgiveness. They were very demanding in the discipline they embraced, but the hardness was always anchored in love. They were deeply sensitive to the wounds that the brothers and sisters invariably brought with them into the desert. Amma Syncletica emphasized that assuming a desert life as a monk didn’t automatically make anybody holy. She knew that everyone came into the monastery with a whole lot of interior baggage. So wound work, healing within the broken places they carried inside, was incredibly important…. 

The abbas and ammas knew that this inner work was crucial in one’s spiritual growth. It’s essential to the discipline of the heart. But as resolute as they were in demanding this soul work, they were just as resolute in practicing a radical forgiveness. They were always slow to judge others, seeing the best in the younger and weaker brothers and sisters, putting the finest possible interpretation on their behavior…. (Rohr, n.d.)

As we are reminded of the challenges from the “world” to our decision to invite the Spirit to inform our actions in accord with the truth about God and Love revealed by Christ.

References

Daniel, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 9, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/3 

John, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 9, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/8?31 

Meditation on John 8:31-42. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 9, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/04/09/1244010/ 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Countercultural Stance. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 9, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-countercultural-stance/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 9, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=apr9 

Zuegner, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 9, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/040925.html