On this tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 11 September
2001, it is providential that the Church offers the profound reflection
that Jesus offers to Peter in response to his question 'how often must I
forgive?' The answer that Jesus gives to Peter's already generous
question - as many as seven times, when the standard Rabbinic answer at
that time was three times - is stunning.
Whether we interpret the Greek
text (ἕως ἑβδομηκοντάκις ἑπτά) to mean seventy-seven or
seventy-times-seven, the point of this declaration and the parable that
follows is clear - in the way of the kingdom of heaven, there can be no
limit to the number of times that we forgive. Yet learning how to live
like this - especially in the face of the world that we live in -
requires a profound understanding of the nature of forgiveness.
Perhaps
it is a bit like learning to breathe again?
Play MP3
Recorded at SJV, 8.30am (8'54")
Sunday 24, Year A. Matthew 18:21-35.
