Sunday 13 September 2026
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Ecclesiasticus 27:30 – 28:7. The Lord is kind and merciful; slow to anger and rich in compassion – Ps 102(103):1-4, 9-12. Romans 14:7-9. Matthew 18:21-35.
Persist in forgiveness
To forgive is a non-negotiable part of faith. To be forgiven, we must forgive. Viewable as accepting unacceptable behaviour; or weak and retreating; or permitting injustice; in reality forgiveness is as important for the forgiver as the forgiven.
How many times must we forgive? It is an ongoing task. Particularly when our heart is wounded deeply, we need to repeatedly forgive. We forgive, the hurt subsides, until life triggers the same hurt, reproducing pain, anger, vulnerability. Like a bruised onion needs several layers peeled to reach its unblemished flesh, we need to consciously remove layer after layer of unforgiveness to regain a soft heart. This requires us to stay alert to the subtle ways we can hold, justify and solidify a grudge. The more deeply and completely we forgive, the more easily our heart remains soft and joyful. So let us persist in forgiveness; let us pray, forgive and live.
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