Father Marcel’s Bulletin Message for the 24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Though we live totally on mercy and forgiveness of God whom we easily offend often, we find it not so easy to forgive the offenses of our brothers and sisters. But in today’s gospel taken from Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus through the story of the servant whose debt was forgiven but then refused to forgive another servant who owes him, teaches us how disappointed God can be when we refuse to forgive those who offended us. Jesus, throughout the New Testament teaches us that a person must forgive in order to be forgiven. Anyone who refuses to forgive a follow human being cannot hope that God will forgive him or her. In Matthew 5:7 Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”  Remember, shortly after Jesus had taught his Apostles his own prayer (The Lord’s Prayer), he went on to explain what the petition: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” means in the prayer. According to Jesus, “For if you forgive people their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive people their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” This is further explained in James 2:13, “There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others.”

Dearest beloved, Peter like us wants to know how often he must forgive his brother when he sins against him. The summary of Jesus’ answer is- ALWAYS! The Lord wants us to forgive as many times as we are offended. Let me put it this way: Forgive everyone as often as we are forgiven by God. God forgives us all the time and keeps no record of our sins. Psalm 130:3 says, “If you O Lord should keep a record of our sins, who could stand?” God keeps no record of our sins. He forgives us as often as we ask him for forgiveness. Today, he’s asking us to forgive others as well, not just one time, but all the time. Forgiveness is given and received. Forgive today and be free!

When someone hurts us deeply, we have reasons to refuse to forgive. But then, there is a greater reason to forgive: since we too offend others and most unfortunately God, and are in constant need of mercy and forgiveness, we should give to others what we seek from others and from God- mercy and forgiveness. Bear in mind, to err is human, but to forgive is divine. To err is earthly, but to forgive is heavenly. To err is godless, but to forgive is godly. To err is worldly, but to forgive is blessedness. To err is weakness, but to forgive is courage and strength. To err is to be in the flesh, but to forgive is to be in the Spirit. To err is to be prodigal, but to forgive is to be Christlike.

Friends in Christ, you loose nothing when you forgiven; instead, you gain everything. Your ability to forgive even deep hurts shows the content of your character and your closeness to Jesus our Savior.

As we rejoice for the coming of our dear Bishop Robert Muench in our parish, who has come to install me as your pastor, I want to tell you that it is an honor and a privilege for me to serve you as your pastor.  And we pray that the coming of our Bishop will bring us many blessings. As for our dear Bishop, we heartily and warmly welcome you to St. Gerard Majella Parish. Thank you for coming!

Your Servant-Pastor

Fr. Marcel Okwara CSsR