Matthew 18:21-22 NRSVue
21Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
Jesus returns to the need for forgiveness so often because it is so
difficult. It is easy to see the need in others; but when I have been deeply
and intentionally hurt by somebody close to me, it tears me apart to forgive
them. Yet the burden of unforgiven grievance lies heavy on my heart, not on
the other's.
Reflection
Lord, teach me to recognise my resentments and grievances and then take the
first step in shedding them.
Reflection
I am encouraged by Peter who, in a moment when living in the way of the
Gospel seemed difficult, brought his question to Jesus. I speak to Jesus
about my life, about how it really is.
Reflection
Disunity and disagreement between Christians are often sources of scandal and
confusion. We pray for tolerance and patience as we try to live as Jesus did
and work to cultivate a loving forgiveness.
Reflection
Peter had an idea that faith might be about counting and calculating but
Jesus thinks otherwise. It is easy to be led to give attention to numbers and
to measure the wrong things on the wrong scales. I ask for God's help as I
try to figure out what Jesus' message means to me.
Reflection
Skeins of geese fly over our gridded and mapped-out cities, using a more
ancient navigation than our technology. I wonder how I might trust God’s
spirit in me, not being restricted to the usually-trodden and safe paths.