To Dey Forgive Always and Forever To Dey Forgive Always and Forever

August 12, 2021
Thursday of Week Nineteen for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious—Memorial wey no be Obligation

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Peter come meet Jesus and ask am, “Lord, if my brother sin against me, how many times I must forgive am? As many as seven times?” Jesus answer, “I dey tell you, no be seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21–22

As Saint John Chrysostom dey explain this passage, e talk say “seventy-seven times” na way to talk say “always.” This mean say Jesus no dey give any particular number of times wey we must forgive; na to talk say we must dey forgive forever and always, without limit. Na this kind deep forgiveness God dey offer us.

This passage still show the difference between how we human beings dey tend to forgive and how God dey forgive. No doubt, Peter for don think say e dey generous as e ask whether e suppose forgive im brother as many as seven times. Maybe e think say this suggestion wey look generous go impress Jesus. But nobody fit ever pass God for mercy wey no get limit. God mercy no get any limit at all, so the mercy wey we dey show other people no suppose get limit too.

For your own life, wetin you dey normally do to seek God forgiveness? And how you dey take forgive another person? This statement wey we quote above introduce the Parable of the Servant wey No Gree Forgive. For that parable, the servant owe im king “plenty money well-well.” Out of mercy, the king cancel the debt, just as God dey willing to forgive us no matter wetin happen. But forgiveness get one price. The price na say we too must forgive other people to that same extent. So, when the servant wey the king cancel im big debt later see one of im own servants wey owe am much smaller money, e demand make the servant pay all the money complete. When the king hear wetin happen, e withdraw im mercy and demand make the servant pay all the money wey e owe am complete.

This one tell us say we no get choice whether to forgive or not, unless we perfect and we no owe God any debt. Of course, anybody wey think like that no dey face reality. As we read for the letter to the Romans, “everybody don sin and fall short of God glory” (Romans 3:23). Because of this, e dey necessary make we dey forgive always and everywhere, without condition, without limit and without hesitation. How easy e dey for you to do this? How complete your forgiveness dey?

One of the people wey dey hardest to forgive na person wey no feel sorry for im sin. When this kind thing happen, e easy to give reason why we get right to condemn the person. If you dey refuse to forgive somebody now and anger, bitterness or hurt still dey your heart, one thing wey fit help you to reflect on na say your refusal to forgive dey harm your own soul pass the other person own. When you refuse to forgive, you dey cause harm wey person no fit measure to your soul and to your relationship with God. To continue to dey vex and feel hurt go only bring more anger and hurt. E go lead to thoughts of revenge and even to action. And that one na sin wey you go answer for.

Today, reflect on the mercy and forgiveness wey no get limit, wey God dey call you to show each and every person wey don hurt you or wey go hurt you. To forgive no mean at all say you dey excuse the sin. Instead, when you forgive, you dey acknowledge say the sin happen. But you must show mercy no matter wetin happen. You must show am always, everywhere, without end and without any conditions. If e hard to do, still do am and no stop. To do this no go only help the sinner; e go still open the gates of God mercy for your life.

My Lord wey dey forgive, Your mercy no get limit, and nobody fit understand am finish. You want forgive every sin for my life and restore me completely to life wey I go dey perfectly united with You. My dear Lord, I accept this gift of forgiveness for my life, and I freely choose to show this same deep mercy to everybody wey don ever sin against me or wey go ever sin against me. I forgive as completely as I fit. Abeg help me to follow Your example of mercy wey no dey end. Jesus, na You I trust.

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Saint for Today – Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious

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