Scripture Matthew 18: 21-35 (NRSV)

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

 Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?”  Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Reflection

Letting go & forgiving from the heart seems one of the hardest human acts. The emotional pain often takes longer to heal than the physical pain. Its ‘unseen’ nature makes it difficult to identify, even by the sufferer, let alone those who are not experiencing it. Forgiveness does not mean accepting unacceptable actions. Forgiveness offers the ability to name, forgive, let go and move on, as an act of love. It is at the very heart of a faith filled life. Action reflects intention of the heart, which, in ancient times, meant the epicentre of who you are. Recognizing the ecumenical and diverse faith expressions in the whole family of God, and even within our own tradition, helps lessen our ‘judging’ others, and enriches our faith and understanding of God beyond our own concepts.

PRAYER OF ADORATION AND THANKSGIVING        

Forgiving and accepting Jesus,
who taught, lived and walked with so many different people,
you gave us a way of being together,
in all our diversity through the whole people of God.
You offered a consistency of love
and a way of expressing it.
We thank you for this insight of how to live with grace.
We thank you that, for all our different ways of worship,
of ministering and offering mission,
we each offer the gifts that we have to all your people,
and practice the presence of God in our lives.
Through faith and with love for others, we also grow. Amen 

COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION         

Go out with a heart that is warmed by the love of God!
Be filled by with the fire of the Pentecost Spirit
So that you are able to connect with our family of God,
As diverse as the Pentecost gathering.
Let us not be afraid to walk the road with Jesus,
And to learn to love all whom cross our path.
May forgiveness grow in our hearts
And judgment fall away from our being.
Go, with this gracious sense
That we are all welcomed as the whole people of God.
May peace and hope fill your days, this week, and beyond. Amen