MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 13 AUGUST
August 13, 2026
SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS INTO THE LIVES OF SAINTS POPE PONTIAN AND HIPPOLYTUS
August 13, 2026
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
13 AUGUST, 2026
Matthew 18:21–19:1
Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “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 the fellow servant 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.” When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan.
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
In Matthew 18:21–19:1, Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive a brother who sins against him, suggesting seven times. Jesus responds, “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times,” illustrating that forgiveness should be limitless.
He follows with the parable of the unforgiving servant, showing how God’s abundant mercy toward us must compel us to extend mercy to others. Forgiveness is not about counting offenses but about embodying the grace we have received.
As Jesus moves on to teach about other matters, we are reminded that the call to forgive is central to discipleship and reflects the heart of God’s kingdom.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You have forgiven me more times than I can count, washing away my sins with Your mercy. Help me to release resentment, to let go of grudges, and to forgive others as You have forgiven me. Remove any bitterness from my heart and replace it with compassion, patience, and love. Teach me to see others through Your eyes, that my life may reflect Your endless grace. Amen
