Tuesday March 17, 2020 — Third week of Lent — Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 18, 21-35 — Now, says the Lord, come back to me with all your heart, for I am tender and merciful.

It is God's nature to forgive and Jesus is the Son who takes his example from the Father, even dying on the cross. He still manages to ask forgiveness for those who make him suffer: "Father, forgive them: they do not know what they are doing". For Jesus forgiveness and mercy have no limits.

It is quite different for man; there are limits to forgiveness and mercy. The question Peter asked Jesus is proof of this: "Lord, when my brother commits faults against me, how often must I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus' answer is clear. Forgiveness must have no limits, and He wants this nature of God, quick to forgive, to become that of the disciples as well. The parable that Jesus takes here is a good illustration of human ingratitude: the master forgave the enormous debt of his servant while the latter did not want to forgive the little that his neighbour owed him. Without the slightest compassion, he began to beat him and have him put in prison.

The prayer that we do each day incite us to forgive our neighbours as God has forgiven us: "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us". Aware of the cumbersomeness of our faults, we ask forgiveness from God also we must forgive our neighbours.

During this Lenten period, let's make an effort to forgive and be merciful because that please and find favour in God's sight.