Sometimes it strikes me that the disciples seemed a bit obsessed with rules and laws; and here is another parable and dissertation on the law of settling disputes in a right and legally appropriate way. They must have realized, however, that the ‘new law’ was different from the ‘old law.’ They were just trying to wrap their heads around all the changes, so asked lots of questions so they could get it right. That makes sense. On the other hand, notions of not cheating others, giving them what is theirs, being merciful and kind, are certainly ideas that are present in the Old Testament, as well. The first reading and the psalm are great examples.
Forgiving does not, in many cases, mean simply letting go of the harm or injury someone wittingly or unintentionally inflicted upon us. While Catholics recite the Lord’s Prayer, saying, ‘Forgive us our sins, as we forgive others,’ other Christians say, ‘Forgive us our debts, as we forgive others.’ Often times, forgiving someone is about not calling in a debt. In this gospel passage, Jesus urges his followers not to expect or to ask to be given what they are rightfully owed or deserve. But why shouldn’t they?
Location, location, location… is another way of saying… Context, context, context! This reading, and countless others, demonstrate for us that even the Lord cares all about context!
While it is not inappropriate to ask or expect that you will get back what you have lent, it is still not the best thing to do. It is much more compassionate and merciful to be mindful of the contexts and situations which are effecting other people. The Lord pays attention to our contexts and is merciful in accordance with need; should we do the same?
To forgive, to not ask for what we are owed, to not seek reparation when we are wronged— these actions relate to ‘taking the high road.’ Here, of course, the high road does not take us to Scotland but to Heaven. Heaven trades in compassion, mercy, kindness, forgiveness, while Earth trades in money, stuff, acquisitions. These things are simply irrelevant in the big picture, the big picture in which Heaven is Already, Not Yet.
Needing to be forgiven or to forgive another are both sides of the same coin, depending on contexts. In many cases, if we each search our own lives, we see that both are needed either in turn or simultaneously. Jesus’ parable exemplifies this both-and situation. These double-or-nothing situations keep us humble and firmly attached to our Lord who wants us to behave in these merciful ways. Whether we need to forgive or practice forgiving others, these unpleasant, and sometimes ugly moments allow us an opportunity for metanoia, for a change in heart. They help us recalibrate our attitudes, values and beliefs and reconnect to God.
Journal Reflection
- Detail a time you forgave someone else for a wrong they committed against you or someone you loved.
- Recall and reflect on a moment when someone forgave you for something you did that offended them.
- Recount a situation in which someone owed you money or an object and you did not request it.
- Explain a circumstance when you owed someone else money or an object but they did not ask for it.
- After a few days time, reread the answers to the above prompts and expand on any patterns or themed you notice.
Writing to Pray 