MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 13 SEPTEMBER
September 13, 2026
SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS ON THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS
September 14, 2026
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
13 SEPTEMBER, 2026
Matthew 16:21-35
Then Peter came up and asked him, “Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I have to forgive him? Seven times?” Jesus told him, “I tell you, not just seven times, but 77 times!
“That is why the kingdom from heaven may be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. When he had begun to settle the accounts, a person who owed him 10,000 talents was brought to him.
Because he couldn’t pay, his master ordered him, his wife, his children, and everything that he owned to be sold so that payment could be made. Then the servant fell down and bowed low before him, saying, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you everything!’
The master of that servant had compassion and released him, canceling his debt. “But when that servant went away, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.
He grabbed him, seized him by the throat, and said, ‘Pay what you owe!’ Then his fellow servant fell down and began begging him, ‘Be patient with me and I will repay you!’ But he refused and had him thrown into prison until he could repay the debt.
“When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were very disturbed and went and reported to their master everything that had occurred. Then his master sent for him and told him, ‘You evil servant! I canceled that entire debt for you because you begged me.
Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers until he could repay the entire debt. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each one of you unless you forgive your brothers from your hearts.
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
Everything must be done with great love as what this Gospel speaks that whenever our fellowmen sin against us it is necessary to forgive them from the heart, just like our Lord who instructed Peter to forgive others not only seven times but seventy times. One more thing is to be more patient in dealing with those who wronged us and the more we become more merciful the more we easily forgive others just as how we are forgiven by the Lord who is the most merciful of all.
Upon reflecting this Gospel today I am reminded of my imperfections and one of these is my heart unable to easily forgive those who sinned against me. And due to my prideful heart and small patience there were times I easily gave up. Yet upon reading this Holy Word I am enlighten to pray more and invoke the help of the Holy Spirit who grants me wisdom, strength and ability to love my neighbor the way I love myself.
Lastly, our selfless love is an important requirement for us to get rid of our prideful hearts and in this way we will have the ability to forgive the one who sinned against us even for so many times.
PRAYER
Conquer my heart oh God that I too will have the ability to forgive the ones who sinned against me. And the fact that forgiveness is not an easy task yet the moment you empowered me with your Holy Spirit everything will be put into proper place. Amen
