Fullness from Forgiveness

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to adopt the mind of Christ as we try to replace rejection, hypocrisy, and deceit with forgiveness.

Finding Forgiveness

The Reading from the Book of Sirach declares a person with hypocrisy and deceit soon becomes a victim of its own treachery.

* [27:16–28:11] Betrayal of confidence through indiscretion destroys friendship and does irreparable harm (27:16–21); cf. 22:22. False friendship based on hypocrisy and deceit is hateful to Ben Sira and, he adds, to God as well (27:22–24); it soon becomes a victim of its own treachery (27:25–27). The same fate awaits the malicious and vengeful (27:28–28:1).

a. [28:1] Dt 32:35; Rom 12:19.

b. [28:2] Mt 6:14.

c. [28:3] Mt 18:23–35.

d. [28:6] Sir 7:36; 38:20. (Sirach, CHAPTER 27 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 103 declares the eternal God is well aware of the people’s human fragility.

* [Psalm 103] The speaker in this hymn begins by praising God for personal benefits (Ps 103:1–5), then moves on to God’s mercy toward all the people (Ps 103:6–18). Even sin cannot destroy that mercy (Ps 103:11–13), for the eternal God is well aware of the people’s human fragility (Ps 103:14–18). The psalmist invites the heavenly beings to join in praise (Ps 103:19–22). (Psalms, PSALM 103 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans emphasizes God’s total claim on the believer.

* [14:8] The Lord: Jesus, our Master. The same Greek word, kyrios, was applied to both rulers and holders of slaves. Throughout the Letter to the Romans Paul emphasizes God’s total claim on the believer; see note on Rom 1:1. (Romans, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches forgiveness in 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.)

Tom Lenz comments that his community has an ever-increasing presence of neighbors seeing the “not so perfect” nature of each other - without regard for their own imperfections. If “strength” in our society looks like perfection, stoicism, and “certainty by order” then perhaps we need a new definition for strength.

All of us, to some degree, likely see the world as we would like it to be more so than how it actually is. This always helps to tip the scales in our favor. But if we can allow ourselves a posture of vulnerability, even a little, then perhaps we can strengthen our communities by softening ourselves. The ripples of our forgiveness and compassion can then become the examples for others to look to as the cultural norm rather than the exception. (Lenz, 2026)

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 on the texts for today. The Book of Sirach, one of the last texts of the Hebrew Bible written in late 200 BCE asserts that Jewish wisdom is as great as Greek wisdom. We learn that God shows us mercy and love not wrath and anger, Live and die for the Lord is urged in the Letter of Paul to the Romans.  Our consolation death will be a passing from this reality to the next. Paul treats it as equal to die and be with Christ or to live and be with the Philippians. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus addresses the message of forgiveness using the perfect number 7 to indicate there is not a limit on forgiveness. God has already forgiven us; we should forgive others. God and grace are both involved. The best a person could do is known only by God. Friar Jude cites the advice of St Ignatius of Loyola to be ready to forgive or if not ready to desire to forgive or if necessary to desire to desire to forgive. Friar Jude reminds us that we forgive wrongs as we recognize them as  a symptom of the brokenness of the transgressor. 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Sirach 27:30–28:7 comments that the master in today’s Gospel parable tells his unforgiving servant: “Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?” (Matthew 18:33). Jesus instructs us to mirror God’s mercy and forgive one another not just seven times but “seventy-seven times” (18:22). In other words, without limit.

These are strong words. But if they make you feel discouraged, know that Jesus stands ready to give you the strength to forgive. He can release you from habits of resentment. He is offering you a life free from the negativity that brings you down. So turn to him today, and ask for his grace to open your heart in compassion. Receive his mercy, and go and show it to the people around you.

“Jesus, help me to forgive my brothers and sisters from the heart!” (Meditation on Sirach 27:30–28:7, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, emphasizes how the teachings of the apostle Paul come from his experience of Christ living in him—and in all reality!

Like him, we only know the Christ through observing and honoring the depth of our human experience and gaining new eyes. When we can honor and receive our own moment of sadness or fullness as a gracious participation in the eternal sadness or fullness of God, we recognize ourselves as a member of the one universal body of Christ.

Thus, Paul shows that we too can know Christ’s infinitely available presence through our own inner dialogue, or the natural law, which is “engraved on our hearts.” Quite daringly, he declares that even so-called pagans, “who do not possess the law … can be said to be the law” (see Romans 2:14–15). This is surely why he spoke to the well-educated Athenians of “The Unknown God … whom you already worship without knowing it” (Acts 17:23). Paul likely inherited this idea from the “new covenant” to God’s people: “I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts” (see Jeremiah 31:31–33).

Paul merely took incarnationalism—the divine in material form—to its universal and logical conclusions. We see that in his bold exclamation: “There is only Christ. He is everything and he is in everything” (Colossians 3:11). If I were to write that today, people would call me a pantheist (the universe is God), whereas I am really a panentheist (God lies within all things, but also transcends them), as were both Jesus and Paul. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the action of the Spirit to enlighten our understanding of the brokenness in our environment that is healed by our desire to forgive being realized as freedom for both the forgiven and the forgiving person. 

References

Lenz, T. (2026, September 13). Daily Reflection September 13, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved September 13, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-13-2026 

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

Meditation on Sirach 27:30–28:7. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 13, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/13/1668154/ 

Psalms, PSALM 103 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved September 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/103?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Paul Knew Christ Within. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 13, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/faith-with-doubt-weekly-summary/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/14?7 

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

Sirach, CHAPTER 27 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved September 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/27 

Abba Assistance

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to ponder the power of prayer to inspire our work towards the goal of living daily in the “Kingdom of God”.

Hallowed Help

The Reading from the Book of Sirach identifies the “hero” Elisha who continued Elijah’s work.

* [48:11] Verse 11b is not extant in the Hebrew; it is represented in the Greek tradition by “for we too shall certainly live.” But this can hardly be the original reading.

* [48:12–16] Elisha continued Elijah’s work (vv. 12–14), but the obstinacy of the people eventually brought on the destruction of the kingdom of Israel and the dispersion of its subjects. Judah, however, survived under the rule of Davidic kings, both good and bad (vv. 15–16).

* [48:13] The reference in v. 13b seems to be to 2 Kgs 13:21 where it is related that a dead man, thrown into Elisha’s grave, came back to life. (Sirach, CHAPTER 48 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 97 presents God appearing in a storm.

* [Psalm 97] The hymn begins with God appearing in a storm, a traditional picture of some ancient Near Eastern gods (Ps 97:1–6); cf. Ps 18:8–16; Mi 1:3–4; Heb 3:3–15. Israel rejoices in the overthrowing of idol worshipers and their gods (Ps 97:7–9) and the rewarding of the faithful righteous (Ps 97:10–12). (Psalms, CHAPTER 97 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus presents The Lord’s Prayer.

* [6:9–13] Matthew’s form of the “Our Father” follows the liturgical tradition of his church. Luke’s less developed form also represents the liturgical tradition known to him, but it is probably closer than Matthew’s to the original words of Jesus.

* [6:9] Our Father in heaven: this invocation is found in many rabbinic prayers of the post-New Testament period. Hallowed be your name: though the “hallowing” of the divine name could be understood as reverence done to God by human praise and by obedience to his will, this is more probably a petition that God hallow his own name, i.e., that he manifest his glory by an act of power (cf. Ez 36:23), in this case, by the establishment of his kingdom in its fullness.

* [6:10] Your kingdom come: this petition sets the tone of the prayer, and inclines the balance toward divine rather than human action in the petitions that immediately precede and follow it. Your will be done, on earth as in heaven: a petition that the divine purpose to establish the kingdom, a purpose present now in heaven, be executed on earth.

* [6:11] Give us today our daily bread: the rare Greek word epiousios, here daily, occurs in the New Testament only here and in Lk 11:3. A single occurrence of the word outside of these texts and of literature dependent on them has been claimed, but the claim is highly doubtful. The word may mean daily or “future” (other meanings have also been proposed). The latter would conform better to the eschatological tone of the whole prayer. So understood, the petition would be for a speedy coming of the kingdom (today), which is often portrayed in both the Old Testament and the New under the image of a feast (Is 25:6; Mt 8:11; 22:1–10; Lk 13:29; 14:15–24).

* [6:12] Forgive us our debts: the word debts is used metaphorically of sins, “debts” owed to God (see Lk 11:4). The request is probably for forgiveness at the final judgment.

* [6:13] Jewish apocalyptic writings speak of a period of severe trial before the end of the age, sometimes called the “messianic woes.” This petition asks that the disciples be spared that final test. (Matthew, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Angela Maynard comments that Jesus reminds us that God knows our needs. Prayer should come from the heart. It should reflect a genuine relationship with God.

 

As I reflect on today’s gospel, I think about how I learned to pray.  I was blessed with wonderful, faith-filled parents.  From the time I was very little, I recall seeing my parents kneeling at their bedside saying morning prayers.  As they tucked me and my siblings in bed each night, they prayed with us… a very simple, “ Jesus bless…”  followed by a litany of family, friends, and occasionally a pet.  I carried on the same tradition with my children.  After having a week with our Grandson, I prayed the same way with him. He is 17 months old, so I listed the litany of those to pray for. I look forward to hearing who he wants to pray for as he learns to talk.

 

One’s faith life can be personal and I believe making it more complicated than it needs to be is a barrier encountered by far too many people who truly try to improve their faith practices or prayer life.  

 

Today’s gospel reminds us how simple prayer can be.  It also reminds us of the importance of a relationship with God and finally, the great value of forgiveness.

 

Consider praying as Jesus instructed and as St. Thérèse describes.

 

“I pray like little children who do not know how to read. I say very simply to God what I wish to say, without composing beautiful sentences and He always understands me.”           

St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Maynard, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Blessed are they who recognize their Father!” by Tertullian, 160-225 A.D.

"Our Lord so frequently spoke to us of God as Father. He even taught us to call none on earth father, but only the one we have in heaven (Matthew 23:9). Therefore, when we pray to the Father, we are following this command. Blessed are they who recognize their Father! Remember the reproach made against Israel, when the Spirit calls heaven and earth to witness, saying, 'I have begotten sons and they have not known me' (Isaiah 1:2). In addressing him as Father we are also naming him God, so as to combine in a single term both filial love and power. Addressing the Father, the Son is also being addressed, for Christ said, 'I and the Father are one.' Nor is Mother Church passed over without mention, for the mother is recognized in the Son and the Father, as it is within the church that we learn the meaning of the terms Father and Son." (excerpt from ON PRAYER 2.2-6) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 6:7-15 comments that we know God as the all-powerful, omnipresent, and eternal Lord of the universe. And he certainly is. However, he is also our Father. Sometimes we can forget that he longs for us to know him also as a Father who loves us, as a Father who wants a personal relationship with us. He knows what we need, and he wants to give us what is best for us. He wants us to sit next to him and tell him everything about what makes us happy or sad, what we think we need, or whatever worries us. And he promises to listen to us as we do.

Above all, God wants us to love him. And one way to do that is through prayer. When we pray with the words Jesus taught us in today’s Gospel, we are praising our heavenly Father, accepting his will in our lives, trusting him for what we need, and asking for his mercy and protection. In other words, we are telling him all the ways we love him and are giving our hearts to him.

So today, come to your Father and love him. And let him love you!

“Jesus, help me to love your Father and to trust in him as my Father.” (Meditation on Matthew 6:7-15, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Sirach gives a summation of what Elijah did to further the goal of asserting the wisdom of Israel is as good as the wisdom of the Greeks. The heroes of Israel include Elijah, whose works are recounted, and Elisha who receives a double dose of Elijah’s spirit. In the Gospel of Matthew, we have heard about the importance of fasting, almsgiving and prayer. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus presents the fully developed prayer and the account in Luke is a series of petitions, likely closer to Jesus' words. Friar Jude presents some aspects of the Lord’s Prayer noting God is identified, perhaps controversially, as Father. God is “Hallowed” in words of praise where we get nothing out of it. “Thy kingdom thy will be done” We petition God to give sustenance and forgive trespasses and declare that we are willing to forgive others, to open our hearts. “Lead us not into temptation” in Luke is expressed as delivering us from the trial. We need God’s help to lead us through temptation.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Brian McLaren who asks in The Great Spiritual Migration what kind of spiritual movement could challenge willing sectors of Christian faith to migrate from their systems of belief to a shared way of life centered on love? Jesus framed his message through a powerful central image (kingdom of God), a unique art form (parables), and through powerful slogans (“Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand,”… “Love your enemies,” “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me,” for example). He developed a protest and messaging strategy that included public teach-ins (the Sermon on the Mount), demonstrations (healings, exorcisms, feeding of the five thousand), guerrilla theater (his triumphal entry into Jerusalem), and advanced action-reflection leadership training (deployments and retreats with disciples).

I could see these same dynamics at work in Paul and his colleagues around the Mediterranean, as the “kingdom of God” movement expanded to the far corners of the earth. And I could see similar patterns reemerging throughout Christian history—in the desert fathers and mothers, in Saint Patrick and the Celts, in Saint Francis and Saint Clare, in the Wesleys and the early Pentecostals, in Dr. King and Desmond Tutu, in Dorothy Day and Oscar Romero. Since its earliest and most dynamic centuries, Christianity has been most vital when it has been energized by movements of self-organizing—or perhaps we should say “Spirit-organizing”—cells. These cells have taken root and grown like seeds in communities and institutions. There they have grown, multiplied, and borne fruit—fruit in just and vibrant institutions, fruit in thriving, peaceful, joyful communities. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the Spirit to guide our migration in growing close to Christ as we live out the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer.

References

Matthew, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 18, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/6?7 

Maynard, A. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved June 18, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-18-2026 

Meditation on Matthew 6:7-15. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved June 18, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/06/18/1594230/ 

Psalms, CHAPTER 97 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 18, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/97?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Movement that Continues. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 18, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-movement-that-continues/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Your Heavenly Father Knows What You Need. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 18, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Sirach, CHAPTER 48 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 18, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/48?1