March 10, 26 – Tuesday, 3rd week of Lent: Quality & Quantity of Forgiveness

Daily Divine Word:

March 10, 26 – Tuesday, 3rd week of Lent: Quality & Quantity of Forgiveness

Daniel 3:25, 34-43, Matthew 18:21-35

In the gospel today, Jesus teaches an important lesson on forgiveness. The parable of ‘the Unforgiving Servant,’ reveals the boundless mercy and countless forgiveness God offers and the importance of sharing it with others.

Peter and His question: Following Jewish tradition, the Rabbis at the time of Jesus, taught to limit forgiveness to three times (Cf. Amos 1:3, 6, 9 and Job 33:29-30). In this context, Peter approaches Jesus and asks, ‘how often should I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times? Possibly, Peter might have thought he is being very generous comparing to the existing tradition. The response of Jesus is radical and amazing, he says, ‘not seven times, but seventy-seven times/seventy times seven.’ This number is simply symbolic of infinite forgiveness. It cannot be quantified.

Not about Math but about Mercy: Seventy times seven, simple means forgive someone until we are unable to count. It’s forgiveness unlimited. Because it deals with relationship not with business, it’s not maths but mercy. There is no end to how many times we should forgive, because there is no end to how many times God forgives us.

Sharing Multiplies: The slave in the parable is forgiven from his huge debt of ten thousand talents. But this slave refuses to forgive the fellow slave’s debt of just hundred denarii. Despite having received immense forgiveness from his master, he refuses to show mercy to his own companion and throws him into prison. The message is clear, we are invited to emulate master’s boundless goodness in our own lives. Sharing multiplies – we gather what we scatter.

Quality Vs quantity of forgiveness: Forgiveness is a profound divine virtue. Infinite forgiveness highlights the overwhelming nature of God’s mercy. However, is it humanely practical? While we need to practice radical forgiveness, I would emphasize on the quality of forgiveness over the quantity. Without the quality, the quality would be meaningless. Improper forgiveness leads to spiritual bondage. Forgiveness is often a long, difficult process and not a quick one-time act. Some hurting experiences require time to qualitatively forgive. Seventy times seven could also mean this healing process and forgiving the person qualitatively. Complete forgiveness brings true healing, restores relationships and shares abundance of life.

Our Takeaway

1. ‘Not seven times, but seventy-seven times/seventy times seven.’ This number is simply symbolic of infinite forgiveness. It cannot be quantified.
2. Forgiveness deals with relationship not with business, it’s not maths but mercy. Therefore, sharing multiplies – we gather what we scatter.
3. Forgiveness is often a long, difficult process and not a quick one-time act. Some hurting experiences require time to qualitatively forgive. Seventy times seven could also mean this healing process and forgiving the person qualitatively. Complete forgiveness brings true healing, restores relationships and shares abundance of life.

Wilson SVD