Posted on 03/09/2026 10:37:19 PM PDT by fidelis
Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21–22
After replying to Peter, Jesus tells a parable about a servant who owed his master a “huge amount.” The literal translation from the Greek is “ten thousand talents.” One talent alone was a substantial sum, equivalent to about twenty years of wages for a day laborer. Therefore, ten thousand talents would represent an astonishing debt—roughly 200,000 years of wages, or about 24 billion U.S. dollars for a worker making $50 an hour.
It’s difficult to even fathom that much. Jesus uses this immense amount to emphasize His point. When the king in the parable decided to settle accounts with his servants and the one who owed him this enormous debt was brought before him, the king initially decided to have the man and his family sold into slavery... As a result, the king forgave the entire debt. This was undoubtedly a life-changing day for the servant.
Things changed quickly, however. When that servant encountered one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount—100 denarii in Greek—he immediately demanded repayment. When his fellow servant pleaded for mercy, the man refused and had him thrown into prison. Using the same calculation, 100 denarii would be 100 days’ wages or 40,000 U.S. dollars.
The contrast is stark! The king represents God, and each of us represents the servant forgiven for the enormous debt. When we beg for mercy, God grants it in superabundance. He knows that we are unable to repay the debt of our sins, so He wipes it away with one condition: that we, in turn, forgive everyone who sins against us.
Jesus tells this parable in response to Peter’s question about how often he must forgive his brother who sins against him. Peter suggests, “Seven times?” but Jesus responds with the symbolic number, “Seventy-seven times,” meaning that our forgiveness should have no limits—an infinite number of times. How well do we live out this call?
Overcoming anger is challenging, as we often feel that justice should be served when we are wronged. But perhaps if someone came to us, confessed his or her sin, and begged for mercy... But Jesus teaches that forgiveness must go beyond mere words... And if someone sins against us and refuses to acknowledge any wrongdoing, the same applies: We must forgive even that unrepentant person from the heart. This is no easy task.
If forgiveness is difficult for you, as it is for most people, consider the consequences of withholding forgiveness... Jesus concludes the parable with a stark warning: “So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.” This should inspire a holy fear in us, often called servile fear—a fear of punishment that helps turn us away from sin... When we truly love God and experience His infinite mercy, we strive to avoid sin not just out of fear of punishment but because we do not want to hurt or offend our loving Father.
Reflect today on two key things. First, grasp the unfathomable mercy God has given you. Let it fill your heart with deep gratitude. Second, call to mind anyone against whom you harbor anger or resentment. Even the smallest trace of unforgiveness must be confronted. Make an act of your will to forgive, and continue doing so until that forgiveness flows sincerely from your heart.
Most merciful God, Your mercy is unfathomable. I beg for Your forgiveness for my sins. There is no way I can ever repay You. I acknowledge that Your forgiveness is contingent upon me offering the same mercy to everyone who has sinned against me. Please soften my heart, Lord, so that I may offer others the same mercy You have granted me. Jesus, I trust in You.
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The Month of March is Dedicated to St. Joseph
“And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:51-52)
Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of March, 2026:
For disarmament and peace
Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.
Today’s First Reading
From: Daniel 3:25, 34-43 (New American Bible)
Daniel 3:2, 11-20 (Revised Standard Version & New Vulgate)
Prayers of the Young Men in the Fiery Furnace
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[2] Then Azariah stood and offered this prayer; in the midst of the fire he opened his mouth and said: [11] “For thy name‘s sake do not give us up utterly, and do not break thy covenant, [12] and do not withdraw thy mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham thy beloved and for the sake of Isaac thy servant and Israel thy holy one, [13] to whom thou didst promise to make their descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the sand on the shore of the sea. [14] For we, O Lord, have become fewer than any nation, and are brought low this day in all the world because of our sins. [15] And at this time there is no prince, or prophet, or leader, no burnt offering, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, no place to make an offering before thee or to find mercy. [16] Yet with a contrite heart and a humble spirit may we be accepted, as though it were with burnt offerings of rams and bulls, and with tens of thousands of fat lambs; [17] such may our sacrifice be in thy sight this day, and may we wholly follow thee, for there will be no shame for those who trust in thee. [18] And now with all our heart we follow thee, we fear thee and seek thy face. [19] Do not put us to shame, but deal with us in thy forbearance and in thy abundant mercy. [20] Deliver us in accordance with thy marvellous works, and give glory, to thy name, O Lord!"
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Commentary:
3:1-68. As we have said, this section comes from the Greek versions and the New Vulgate translates it from Theodotion’s version; it contains two pieces in verse; the first is a penitential piece, attributed to Azariah only (3:3-22); the second is a canticle of thanksgiving(3:29-68) sung by the three young men. Each piece is introduced by a prose description of the scene in the furnace (3:1-2; 23-28). The whole episode bears out the truth of what God told Israel in Isaiah 43:2: “When you walk through fire you shall not be burned.”
3:3-22. As is conventional in penitential psalms, this begins by proclaiming that God is just in all his dealings, even when he punishes his people (vv. 3-5; cf. Ps. 32). Then it accepts that the people’s sins justify all that has befallen hem (even giving them over to the most wicked king in all the earth, vv. 6-10: perhaps a reference to Antiochus IV). Finally, it asks for God to take action on the grounds of the Covenant made with their ancestors (vv. 11-13) and the fact that the people have been brought so low and do repent their sins (vv. 14-48); God’s goodness and mercy must now be revealed; his very honor requires that he rescue them (vv. 19-22).
From: Matthew 18:21-35
Forgiveness of Injuries. The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
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[21] Then Peter came up and said to Him (Jesus), "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" [22] Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
[23] "Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. [24] When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; [25] and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. [26] So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' [27] And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. [28] But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, `Pay what you owe.' [29] So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' [30] He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay his debt. [31] When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. [32] Then his lord summoned him and said to him, `You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; [33] and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' [34] And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. [35] So also My Heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."
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Commentary:
21-35. Peter's question and particularly Jesus' reply prescribe the spirit of understanding and mercy which should govern Christians' behavior.
In Hebrew the figure of seventy times seven means the same as "always" (cf. Genesis 4:24): "Therefore, our Lord did not limit forgiveness to a fixed number, but declared that it must be continuous and forever" (Chrysostom, "Hom. on St. Matthew", 6). Here also we can see the contrast between the man's ungenerous, calculating approach to forgiveness, and God's infinite mercy. The parable also clearly shows that we are totally in God's debt. A talent was the equivalent of six thousand denarii, and a denarius a working man's daily wage. Ten thousand talents, an enormous sum, gives us an idea of the immense value attaching to the pardon we receive from God. Overall, the parable teaches that we must always forgive our brothers, and must do so wholeheartedly.
"Force yourself, if necessary, always to forgive those who offend you, from the very first moment. For the greatest injury or offense that you can suffer from them is nothing compared to what God has pardoned you" (St J. Escriva, "The Way", 452).
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