Forgiving and Giving

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to put our faith into action so that our anointing as people of grace, forgiveness, and love is visible to our community.

Assess Our Need for Forgiveness

The Reading from the Book of Ezekiel presents Acts of the Prophet, Symbolic of the Exile.

* [12:3–10] An exile’s bag contains bare necessities, probably no more than a bowl, a mat, and a waterskin. The prophet’s action foreshadows the fate of ruler and people (vv. 11–14).

* [12:5] Through the wall: mud-brick outer wall of a private home. In this symbolic action, Ezekiel represents the enemy forces, and the house wall, the city wall of Jerusalem breached by the Babylonian army.

* [12:13] Though he shall not see it: according to a Targum, an allusion to Nebuchadnezzar having Zedekiah blinded before deporting him to Babylonia (cf. 2 Kgs 25:7); according to the Septuagint, the king is ashamed of his flight from the city and disguises himself so others will not recognize him.

* [12:16] Both exiles and nations shall know that the exile is divine punishment for Israel’s betrayal of the Lord and the covenant, not evidence that the Lord is too weak to fight off the Babylonian deity. (Ezekiel, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 78 presents a recital of history to show that past generations did not respond to God’s gracious deeds and were punished by God making the gift into a punishment.

* [78:58] Provoked him: lit., “made him jealous.”

* [78:60] Shiloh: an important shrine in the north prior to Jerusalem. Despite its holy status, it was destroyed (Ps 78:60–64; cf. Jer 7:12, 14). (Psalm 78, PSALMS | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew proclaims 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.)

* [19:1] When Jesus finished these words: see note on Mt 7:28–29. The district of Judea across the Jordan: an inexact designation of the territory. Judea did not extend across the Jordan; the territory east of the river was Perea. The route to Jerusalem by way of Perea avoided passage through Samaria. (Matthew, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB, n.d.)

David Crawford comments that our perception may cause us to think we are in the right, allowing us to justify our words and actions; and then, failing to consider their side, we get angrier because they won’t apologize or show remorse. (I am reminded that no one is a villain in their own story.) If we are not careful, bitterness and resentment build. The thought of forgiveness may not even occur to us even as our relationships are damaged.

So when Peter asked his question, Jesus understood how much had built up over the years. He understood how keeping a list of grievances makes the list keeper miserable and promotes disharmony and division. How many times? Jesus told him (and us): Stop keeping track and just forgive. Jesus, through parable, reminded Peter (and us) that God has forgiven us more times than we can count, certainly more than we deserve. God loves us in spite of our shortcomings. Extend that same grace, mercy and love to those close to you. (Crawford, n.d.)

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.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the Prophet Ezekiel makes a symbolic gesture and about being taken into exile in the time between his exile and when the Temple is destroyed in the later exile of his people. Ezekiel makes his point as he pretends to be fleeing from an enemy. In the Gospel the disciples ask how many times they must forgive? They suggest 7 times 7, an extension of the perfect number. but Jesus' number is infinity. The parable of the unforgiving servant means that God has forgiven us many things. We may reply “I am not as bad as some”. We don't know the extent of grace given to all. The person who is less forgiving may be missed, if my heart is already closed. Friar Jude comments that it is not that God won’t forgive me, but we need to consider my willingness to accept forgiveness.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 18:21–19:1 comments that the character in the parable who answers Peter’s question is the master. He forgives his servant “a huge amount” (Matthew 18:24) and expects that servant to be just as forgiving toward a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller amount.

Jesus is telling Peter, and telling each of us, You have already been forgiven a huge debt; you cannot put a limit on how much you are willing to forgive. You need to be as forgiving toward one another as I have been toward you.

Jesus looks on you with so much mercy that he has forgiven all your sins. He wants you to live in joy and freedom—and to joyfully and freely extend that forgiveness to everyone around you.

“Lord, help me to grasp the depth of your mercy and to be just as merciful toward those who sin against me!” (Meditation on Matthew 18:21–19:1, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, comments Franciscan mysticism is at heart incarnational mysticism. Theologian Ilia Delio highlights how Francis of Assisi was transformed by the radical implications of the Incarnation, including his powerful experience meeting a leper.

The leper experience was a turning point in Francis’ life. As his life deepened in God, he made a constant effort to spend himself in love by giving himself to the other…. Following the footprints of Jesus, Francis found the God of humble love not among the popular and the proud, the arrogant and the rich or those who “stand out” in society, but among the ordinary, the forgotten, the poor and sick and marginalized….

 

The simplest way to describe God’s poverty and humility is in terms of love. Love gives itself away—this is God’s poverty. Love turns toward the other so it can give itself to the other—this is God’s humility. In the Incarnation, God turns toward us through the Son/Word and gives [God’s] self to us as love. We call this gift of God’s love to us, this gift of total self-emptying love, “kenosis.” The poverty of God is the kenosis or self-emptying of the Word, the descent of the Word, from the riches of divine glory into our fragile human nature. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

The Spirit reveals the extent of the “self emptying” love that we have experienced and nudges us to be agents of forgiveness and love to the people we have been given to develop our unconditional love.

References

Crawford, D. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved August 13, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-august-13-2026 

Ezekiel, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/12? 

Matthew, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/18?21 

Matthew, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved August 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/19 

Meditation on Matthew 18:21–19:1. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved August 13, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/08/13/1644835/ 

Psalm 78, PSALMS | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved August 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/78?56 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Incarnation: The Humility of God. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 13, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/incarnation-the-humility-of-god/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Lord, How Often Shall I Forgive My Brother? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 13, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Persecution and Peace

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to preserve as followers of Christ even as we witness the tragedy around us that seems to support the cliche of “No good deed goes unpunished”.

On the Feast of Stephen

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles proclaims the Accusation against Stephen prior to Stephen’s Martyrdom.

* [6:8–8:1] The summary (Acts 6:7) on the progress of the Jerusalem community, illustrated by the conversion of the priests, is followed by a lengthy narrative regarding Stephen. Stephen’s defense is not a response to the charges made against him but takes the form of a discourse that reviews the fortunes of God’s word to Israel and leads to a prophetic declaration: a plea for the hearing of that word as announced by Christ and now possessed by the Christian community. The charges that Stephen depreciated the importance of the temple and the Mosaic law and elevated Jesus to a stature above Moses (Acts 6:13–14) were in fact true. Before the Sanhedrin, no defense against them was possible. With Stephen, who thus perceived the fuller implications of the teachings of Jesus, the differences between Judaism and Christianity began to appear. Luke’s account of Stephen’s martyrdom and its aftermath shows how the major impetus behind the Christian movement passed from Jerusalem, where the temple and law prevailed, to Antioch in Syria, where these influences were less pressing. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [7:55] He…saw…Jesus standing at the right hand of God: Stephen affirms to the Sanhedrin that the prophecy Jesus made before them has been fulfilled (Mk 14:62).

* [7:57] Covered their ears: Stephen’s declaration, like that of Jesus, is a scandal to the court, which regards it as blasphemy.

* [7:59] Compare Lk 23:34, 46. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 31 declares the psalmist feels overwhelmed by evil people but trusts in the “God of truth”.

* [Psalm 31] A lament (Ps 31:2–19) with a strong emphasis on trust (Ps 31:4, 6, 15–16), ending with an anticipatory thanksgiving (Ps 31:20–24). As is usual in laments, the affliction is couched in general terms. The psalmist feels overwhelmed by evil people but trusts in the “God of truth” (Ps 31:6).

* [31:6] Into your hands I commend my spirit: in Lk 23:46 Jesus breathes his last with this Psalm verse. Stephen in Acts 7:59 alludes to these words as he is attacked by enemies. The verse is used as an antiphon in the Divine Office at Compline, the last prayer of the day. (Psalms, PSALM 31 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew proclaims Coming Persecutions.

* [10:17] The persecutions attendant upon the post-resurrection mission now begin to be spoken of. Here Matthew brings into the discourse sayings found in Mk 13 which deals with events preceding the parousia.

* [10:21] See Mi 7:6 which is cited in Mt 10:35, 36.

* [10:22] To the end: the original meaning was probably “until the parousia.” But it is not likely that Matthew expected no missionary disciples to suffer death before then, since he envisages the martyrdom of other Christians (Mt 10:21). For him, the end is probably that of the individual’s life (see Mt 10:28). (Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Candice Tucci, OSF, comments that  today, there are still martyrs of the faith. Individuals who give and gave witness to the Gospel through their lives. We live in a complex world of war, hunger, military presence in countries, cities, religious biases, racial prejudices, and people die. Love prevails! We can still celebrate Christmas in these times because we know Easter. God’s gift of everlasting LOVE and LIFE to us.

Christians are people of hope in their belief. We pray ancient psalms with words of confidence that give us comfort, for we know a history of a faithful God.

Be my rock of refuge,

A stronghold to give me safety.

You are my rock and my fortress;

For your name’s sake, you will lead and guide me…

Let your face shine upon your servant;

Save me in your kindness.

In continuing the works of Jesus and knowing that the face of Jesus shines upon us, no matter when or how the time comes, can we say with peace and great conviction, like Stephen, LIKE JESUS, “Into your hands, my God, I commend my spirit”. (Tucci, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Your Father speaks through you in every age,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"To be sure, we heard in that reading, 'But when they deliver you up, do not be anxious how or what you are to speak... for it is not you who are speaking but the Spirit of your Father who speaks through you.' And he says in another place: 'Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the world' (Matthew 28:20). Does this mean that the people who heard those words of the Lord would be here until the end of the world? The Lord was referring, rather, not only to those about to depart from this life but also to the others, including us and those who would come after us in this life. He saw everyone in his single body, and the words he spoke, 'I am with you even to the end of the world,' were heard by them and by us too. And if we did not hear them then in our knowledge, we heard them in his foreknowledge. Therefore, safe as sheep among the wolves, let us keep the commandments of him who directs us. And let us be 'innocent as doves but cautious as snakes' (Matthew 10:16). Innocent as doves that we may not harm anyone; cautious as snakes that we may be careful of letting anyone harm us." (excerpt from SERMON 64A.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 comments on Stephen’s joy and courage in the face of death and also reveals that Jesus came to bring an end to death itself for everyone who believes. He shows how our trust in the Lord and our faith in Jesus’ promises can free us from the fear of death.

So today, follow the example of our first martyr, who “looked up intently to heaven” and saw the risen Lord (Acts 7:55). Don’t fix your eyes only on the child in the manger; gaze also at “the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (7:55). Let that vision fill your heart with joy and confidence.

“St. Stephen, pray that my heart might be transformed by a vision of the risen Lord!” (Meditation on Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler shares a reflection on the texts today. The Acts of the Apostles identifies Stephen as one of the seven deacons commissioned to care for the widows and orphans. He was a Greek speaker and possibly annoyed the Temple authorities. They decide to kill him in a kangaroo court without the permission of the Roman Authorities. The Gospel of Matthew reminds us that the “Son of Man” was a title used by Jesus and Stephen asked for forgiveness for his persecutors in a portion of the chapter not cited today. Jesus is with those suffering. Being a Christian means paying a price. Friar Jude notes that the Gospel reminds us that the Spirit will give us support in what to say when we are called to give witness even in dying to the daily annoyances in our life.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Franciscan sister and scientist Ilia Delio focuses on the theology of the incarnation and the universal nature of the Christ mystery.

So does everyone have to become Christian to know the Christ? Absolutely not. Christ is more than Jesus. Christ is the communion of divine personal love expressed in every created form of reality—every star, leaf, bird, fish, tree, rabbit, and human person. Everything is christified because everything expresses divine love incarnate. However, Jesus Christ is the “thisness” of God, so what Jesus is by nature everything else is by grace (divine love). We are not God, but every single person is born out of the love of God, expresses this love in [their] unique personal form, and has the capacity to be united with God…. Because Jesus is the Christ, every human is already reconciled with every other human in the mystery of the divine, so that Christ is more than Jesus alone. Christ is the whole reality bound in a union of love. (Rohr, n.d.)

As we look out on the “Feast of Stephen” today, the snow truly is “round about crisp and bright and even” and we ponder the paradox of persecution of the people bringing care and compassion to people by those in power threatened by lives defined by love.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/6?8 

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/7?55#52007055 

Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10? 

Meditation on Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/26/1459409/ 

Psalms, PSALM 31 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/31?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-universal-christ/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The One Who Endures to the End Will Be Saved. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Tucci, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-26-2025