Thursday August 13, 2009

Thursday August 13, 2009 of the 19th Week in Ordinary time
Readings: Joshua 3: 7-11, 13-17 Psalm 114: 1-6 Matthew 18: 21-19: 1
Psalm Response: “ALLELUIA”

When God separated the Reed Sea to allow the Israelites to pass on dry land, forty years had passed and though the people knew He was with them on their journey, they also thought the separation was a singular event
To indicate the passing of the realm to Joshua, Moses, at God’s direction, placed his hands on Joshua’s shoulder to signify the passing of the authority of God to His servant.
When the survivors reached the shores of the Jordon, perhaps they wondered how they were to transverse the Jordon. None of them had witnessed the Reed Sea separation but they heard the stories from their ancestors.
Lo, an Behold, God spoke to Jordon to affirm his authority by instructing him to have the Ark of the Covenant brought to the river’s edge. When the priests assigned to carry the Ark did what they were told, the river backed up from its flow and formed a wall of water while the Israelites crossed on dry land. Thus they knew God was with them and with Joshua.
We haven’t seen any such magnificent gesture in our life time. However, God is still in charge. He might at any moment, have had it with the “culture of death” and put them to the final test before He proves to them Who’s in charge!

The psalmist recalls the miracles of the ancient tribes and asks us to consider the means at God’s hand to do what He Wills at any time.

Peter wanted to know, since he and the disciples had been given the right to forgive sin, how lenient should they be. Surely seven times should be sufficient?
However, Jesus says seventy times seven! In other words forgiveness is to be limitless!
To further show the mercy He expected of His disciples He stated a parable.
The servant of the King had an infinite debt which no one could repay. The King forgave the whole debt. Then the forgiven came across a debtor of his own who owed him a pittance but was recalcitrant to his debtor, throwing he and his whole family in prison
‘til the debt was paid.
On hearing on the injustice, the King recanted his forgiveness and threw the wicked servant in jail forever.
There are several lessons in the story and parable.
One: forgiveness isn’t to be withheld from the penitent!
Two: we are to forgive as we are forgiven!
Three: God, the Father can withdraw the forgiveness He had given, if we do not forgive as He would.
So don’t think your bedside confession will suffice to get you a free pass. Forgiveness begets forgiveness!