Tuesday March 9, 2021 - Third week of Lent - Now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, for I am tender and merciful - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 18, 21-35

The gospel we have just heard teaches us that the mercy of God is limitless. He is merciful. The gospel we have just heard teaches us that the mercy of God is limitless. He is merciful. For those who know the mercy of God, they know well what Jesus is talking about today: there is no way, other than the mercy of God, that leads us to beatitude. Jesus tells us "be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful". God's loving-kindness cannot be measured by the immensity of our sins. What God expects from us is a converted, humble heart capable of recognizing our faults. Peter said, "Lord, how many times must I forgive him? Up to seven times?" And Jesus said to him: "I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven times".

In Jesus' time, according to the teaching transmitted by the rabbis who are generally called Masters, forgiveness has limits: you can only forgive up to seven times. But the new teaching introduced by Christ is that forgiveness is immeasurable. For Jesus, forgiveness should not be counted, because it is infinite.

Mercy is a grace from God. It can't be bought, it's free. It is for those who recognize themselves as sinners and beg God. For the nature of God resembles that of this King, quoted in this Gospel, who canceled the debts of his servant. As this servant threw himself at his feet and bowed himself there, saying: "Give me a delay and I will return everything to you." Feeling sorry, the king released him and forgave his debts. So Jesus invites us here to live and share God's mercy. Let us ask for the grace of God, especially in this time of Lent, so that we know how to forgive one another, because Jesus tells us: "If each of us does not forgive our brother from the bottom of our heart, God does not forgive us. no more".