Sunday 17 September 2023 – XXIV of Ordinary Time

+ From the Gospel according to Matthew (18, 21 – 35)

At that time, Peter approached Jesus and said to him: «Lord, if my brother commits sins against me, how many times must I forgive him? Up to seven times? And Jesus answered him: «I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
For this reason, the kingdom of heaven is similar to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. He had begun to settle the accounts, when a man was introduced to him who owed him ten thousand talents. Since he was unable to repay, the master ordered him to be sold with his wife, children and everything he owned, and thus pay off his debt. Then the servant, prostrate on the ground, begged him saying: “Have patience with me and I will give you everything back”. The master had compassion on that servant, let him go and forgave him the debt.
As soon as he went out, that servant found one of his companions, who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him by the neck and choked him, saying: “Give back what you owe!”. His companion, prostrate on the ground, begged him, saying: “Have patience with me and I will restore you.” But he wouldn’t, he went and had him thrown into prison until he paid the debt.
Seeing what had happened, his companions were very sorry and went to tell their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the man and said to him: “You wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you prayed to me. Shouldn’t you also have had pity on your companion, just as I had pity on you?”. Disdained, the master handed him over to his torturers until he returned all he owed.
So also my heavenly Father will do with you if you do not forgive from your heart, each of you his own brother.”

Word of the Lord.