Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

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 should 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 should 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.’

It’s not easy to pray in the heart of a fire, but Azariah does, and at some length. The fire in which he stands is the sin of the people to whom he belongs, the effects of which have been devastating. But he stands in the heart of the fire and puts his faith in God’s mercy and his faithfulness to the covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He comes contrite to God, acknowledging the truth of the people’s sins, as we do in these Lenten days – not just my sins but our sins.

We, too, put our faith in the forgiveness of God. And only if we do, does the forgiveness of God flow out through us, endlessly: “seventy times seven”. There is no limit to the forgiveness of God. But if we don’t see our need for forgiveness and open ourselves to the power of divine forgiveness, then the mercy of God will never flow through us and we will find ourselves unforgiving, punishing ourselves like the merciless servant of the Gospel. The fire will consume us.