September 11

St. Protus and St. Hyacinth

Peter approached Jesus and asked, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.' Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, 'Pay back what you owe.' Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart" (Matthew 18: 21-35).

When someone offends, insults, tricks or hurts us in some way it is very easy to get angry and revengeful. Forgiveness is something only the very spiritually strong can do. The world says this is weakness but they are wrong. It is very easy to want revenge. It takes virtue and the grace of God to forgive. Do you want to be weak or strong?

Lord, Your point of view is not the way the world thinks. Enlighten me to understand Your way of doing things.

Impact Sports: Am I on time for all team meetings, workouts and practices?

Impact Life: Who comes first, God, others or myself?