HOMILY FOR THE 24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.

Sirach 27:30-28:7; Psalm 103:1-4.9-12; Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18:21-35.

“FORGIVE AND FORGET!”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

·      Christians are generally referred to as members of a community of believers. Believers are made up of different orientations and backgrounds, different temperaments, and dispositions. Since it is a community of persons, it is impossible not to have a conflict of interests and misunderstandings.

·      The early Christian community despite being reputed as a wonderful community had their share of the crises. The Apostles had to map out ways to resolve them by selecting seven deacons to quell the crisis (Acts 6:1-4). 

·      Our today’s readings give us the recipe to also live in a human community and yet live in peace and harmony managing each other’s shortcomings and inadequacies by learning to forgive and forget.

·      The question that readily comes to mind is, is it possible to forgive and forget since we are cognitive beings with retentive memory and vision? Can we truly forget a hurt that is grave with so many examples? The Christian life says yes, it is possible with the grace of God. Remember that with God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26).

·      Dearly beloved in Christ, some people feel that when they forgive they are doing the one forgiven a favor. It is rather the other way around. An unknown author once said that “forgiveness is like setting a prisoner free only to discover that you are the prisoner”. When we forgive we live in peace with ourselves and our neighbors. We save ourselves from strange illnesses and medical conditions. Most importantly when we forgive, we are at peace with God and on the path to salvation. We merit the forgiveness of our sins.

·      In the first reading (Sirach 27:30-28:7), we are told that resentment and anger take us nowhere, rather it becomes a stumbling block on our journey to salvation. Resentment and anger come from unforgiveness.  And when we refuse to forgive, we realize that it is the measure of forgiveness that we give out that we will receive.

·      Friends in Christ, what then is the essence of the Lord’s Prayer which we all say together in church as a family when you have vowed not to forgive the person sitting next to you? Remember that the Lord’s Prayer has a condition attached to it, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matt. 6:9-13).

·      We must learn to forgive and forget from the heart, we must let go of all bitterness and let God heal us of our pains and hurts. We must stop dwelling so much on our past and stop hurting. We must commit them to God’s divine mercy and move on, promising to live better and relate better. 

·      My dear brothers and sisters, we cannot go on deceiving ourselves that God will understand that we are humans when we refuse to forgive. I do not think that any of us have experienced pain and betrayal as much as Jesus did and yet he forgave them all (Luke 23:34) and he continues to forgive us who continue to offend him.

·      When we harden our minds and swear never to forgive, we must be forward-looking about the last days which comes with the last things namely: death-judgment-heaven/hell. Where you want to be at the end is completely your choice and decision.

·      The gospel reading (Matthew 18:21-35) on the other hand. is more practical with illustrations on the importance of forgiveness. The response of Jesus to the question means that we must continue to forgive as much as we are offended.

·      The parable teaches us that we who have enjoyed so much mercy and compassion from God are duty-bound to show the same to those who require our forgiveness. We cannot pay God for the mercies he continues to shower on us, but we can show gratitude for them by forgiving others.

·      Friends in Christ, we live in human society, and we must brace up that people will offend us knowingly or unknowingly. Our duty as Christians is to always forgive and forget without conditions. And that is what the king did with his servant. 

·      The parable also teaches us that there are consequences for unforgiveness. One of which is that we will suffer the pain of hell for what we could have easily averted by showing mercy to one another. Therefore, we must consider ourselves as fellow servants in the Lord’s vineyard, and since we have enjoyed mercy from our master, we must continue to show mercy to one another. 

·      St. Paul in the second reading (Romans 14:7-9), reminds us of the destiny of all the living which is death. The kind of death we will die is up to us. Is it a death that we die in the Lord meaning that we are free from sin and all bitterness, hatred, and anger, or death of shame meaning that we die in sin and hatred, with grudges in our mind?

·      In this Mass, let us examine our hearts and make sure that there are no resentments and hatred towards another. Otherwise, we cannot receive God’s forgiveness, we will not be able to participate meaningfully in the Eucharistic celebration. The Lord exhorts us: “Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Mt 5:23). Indeed, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God!” (Mt 5:9).

·      We must remember that the death of Jesus on the cross was sacrificial. He paid the price for our sins and forgives us. It means therefore that while it is true that we are hurt and pained, forgiving does us good because that will show that we appreciate the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross. 

·      Friends in Christ, the best time to forgive one another is now because tomorrow may be too late. The psalmist tells us that “the Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger, and rich in mercy” (Ps. 103:8). We are called to be like the Lord, therefore we too must be full of compassion, love, slow to anger and be rich in mercy.

·      May the good Lord bless his words in our hearts through Christ our Lord, Amen!

·      Happy Sunday!!!