Tuesday, February 4 (January 22), 2025
1Cor. 12:12-26; Mt. 18:18-22, 19:1-2, 13-15                                         

St. Peter, wishing to know the prescribed measure of patience, asked the Lord how many times one should forgive his brother: “Till seven times?” ─ as if that was the largest possible number.  How feeble our patience is!  The Lord replied, applying His forbearance to our weakness: “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” [Mt. 18:21-22] which is the same as to say: always forgive, don’t even think of denying forgiveness.

Forgiveness is both a feature of Christian spirit and a constant source of life support which we receive from the Lord.  Our ability and willingness to forgive just everyone and everything is the outer garment of our Christian love which, according to St. Paul, “suffereth long, and is kind… beareth all things… endureth all things” [1Cor. 13:4-7].  It is also our best hope for mercy at the Last Judgment, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” [Mt. 6:14].  So, if you seek the heavens, do forgive everyone, forgive sincerely, forgive from the depth of your heart, without a trace of bitterness.

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