Ezek 12:1-2 Ps 78:56-57, 58-59, 61-62 Matt 18:21-19:1

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

“So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.” – Matthew 18:35

Payback is a popular thing.  If someone wrongs me, I sometimes get the feeling that I need to wrong them back or take it out on someone else.  That isn’t very Christian of me.  Instead, I should refer to another Gospel reading and turn the other cheek.  However, other times, I do like giving payback.  If someone buys me a drink or takes me to dinner I feel the duty and necessity to pay them back what they have given me.  If they refuse the offer to pay me back, I pay it forward and buy someone else the next round or take another friend to dinner.

Jesus wants us to forgive in this Gospel reading.  Do not just forgive, but forgive more than the wrong we have committed.  This may sound intense, and it is.  If we were to live as Jesus did, then we would have to repent eleven times as much.  Jesus died to forgive our sins!  That’s not a bad trade off, and I think I should be able to forgive those around me if that is what the Lord was willing to do.

In addition to forgiving, I think it is perfect to relate the Gospel to paying it forward.  In looking for forgiveness, I think part of what I need to do is spread the Word.  Sharing the message of the Gospel, or even just living it out daily, is a way of paying it forward.  The challenge is twofold in this reading, and it is proof that Jesus is pushing us to become better followers every day.

My Gospel challenge for the day:  Say “I’m sorry” and Pay it Forward.