TODAY’S GOSPEL READING -10 MARCH

TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
10 MARCH, 2026
Matthew 18:21–35

Peter came to 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 your brother from your heart.”

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!

REFLECTION

Jesus teaches that forgiveness is not meant to be limited or calculated. When Peter asks how many times he must forgive, Jesus answers with a number that symbolizes limitless mercy. Forgiveness in the Christian life is not a duty counted in numbers but a disposition of the heart.

Through the parable, Jesus reveals the contrast between God’s immense mercy and the smallness of human grudges. The servant who was forgiven a massive debt failed to show even a fraction of that mercy to another. His failure was not merely an act of injustice but a refusal to let mercy transform his heart.

Every believer stands before God like the servant who owed an enormous debt. God’s forgiveness, given freely through His compassion, calls us to extend that same mercy to others. When we refuse to forgive, we close our hearts to the very grace we have received.

True forgiveness does not mean ignoring wrongdoing, but releasing resentment and entrusting justice to God. Forgiving “from the heart” means allowing God’s mercy to reshape our relationships and free us from the burden of bitterness.

PRAYER

Merciful Father, You have forgiven me far more than I can ever repay. Teach me to forgive others as You have forgiven me. Remove from my heart all resentment, anger, and hardness. Fill me with the compassion of Christ so that I may show mercy to those who have hurt me.

Grant me the grace to forgive sincerely, generously, and from the depths of my heart. May Your mercy flow through my life and bring healing, peace, and reconciliation wherever there is hurt.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen