The Uncountable Nature of Forgiveness

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 24th Week :  Sunday*

*Gospel : Mt 18:21-35*

*First Reading : Sir 27:30-28:7*

*SECOND READING -Rom 14:7-9*

*The Uncountable Nature of Forgiveness*

*1) Seventy Seven Times or Seventy times Seven*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the importance of forgiveness

The Gospel refers two important numbers *Seventy Seven times* Or *Seventy Times Seven* 

So there is a question what are these numbers? Is it seventy seven times have we to forgive?

*2) Uncountable Nature of Forgiveness*

The statement from Jesus in today's Gospel clearly shows  us the nature of Forgiveness 

Accordingly forgiveness can't be counted and given. In other words it is simply uncountable when it comes to forgive others 

Smothering very beautiful and also very important to understand the nature of forgiveness

*3) God does not count When it comes for forgiveness*

There is no counting in God when it comes to forgiveness

One fine example is the sacrament of confession

No one keeps the count of the number of times we go for confession. Neither the priest will ask about the number of times one goes for confession

More the times one goes for confession, better it becomes in the life of the person 

All these shows that God does not count forgiveness in any situations

*4) Forgiveness Through sacrifice of Life*

God's forgiveness is very closely connected to the aspect of sacrifice

In oder to forgive the humankind and to save from the eternal damnation, Jesus had to sacrifice his life on the Cross

Jesus washed our sins through his precious blood and saved us 

Jesus forgave our sins by dying on the Cross, by scarifying his life and giving his last drop of blood

*5) Forgiveness has tremendous Power*

Among many things in our life, forgiveness has tremendous power because it can change ones life 

Many times what we consider as impossible things, become possible only through forgiveness

Forgiveness can change the direction of ones life, it can repair the relationship, and it can build human families 

*6) Forgiveness is difficult*

As we think about forgiveness, it is not so easy as we think to forgive 

One has to go against ones own human nature and put on the divine nature to forgive another person especially our enemies 

That is why it is difficult to forgive

*7) Not to go against the Nature of Forgiveness*

By counting the times we forgive another we go against the very nature of forgiveness

By not forgiving also we go against the very nature of forgiveness, because God never denied any one to forgive

He is ever ready at any moment and any number of times to forgive us

If so, how about me? Am I able to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness

*Forgiveness is uncountable*

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*