Reflection
Recently, my husband, our grandchildren, and I took our annual “no parents allowed” beach trip. One evening during dinner, as we sat looking at the beautiful sunshine on the Pacific Ocean, we chatted about today’s Gospel. I always enjoy hearing what they take from Scripture, believing that the Holy Spirit speaks creatively through children. Present for this conversation were five of our six grandchildren: Cate (16), William (12), Alice (10), Bridget (9), and Emmett (6). Always ready to solve math challenges, Emmett started to figure it out. I explained the biblical significance of the number seven and that seventy-seven times is not meant to be taken literally; rather, in biblical terms means infinity. Emmett was intrigued: ” Wow, the bible has hidden number codes!”
Cate was not convinced the debtor should have been forgiven, questioning how he could learn his lesson without consequences. With the righteous conviction of a 16-year-old, she argued that facing the consequences of our actions builds character—and that no one should be denied that opportunity for growth. Of course, that sounds wise in theory. Cate, I love your idealism, and I hope you keep seeing life’s consequences as opportunities to build character. However, as you grow older, I pray you come to appreciate that God’s compassionate love is extended to all. Even as we face the earthly consequences of our actions, heaven is ours for the asking. I hope you will understand that because this compassion is extended to us, we are called to offer it to others.
“A humble, contrite heart you will not despise.”
-Psalm 51:17
William concluded simply that the parable was about forgiveness and we should always forgive. A concept he seemed to forget later that evening when his cousin splashed seawater on his clothes as we watched a beautiful sunset. 😊
I asked them what they thought our world might look like if everyone adopted the principle of forgiveness. Alice, ever the practical thinker, stated that she couldn’t see it ever happening. “I mean, Grandma, not everyone is that kind.” Bridget agreed that it was too hard a concept to visualize. Our conversation was cut short by the approaching sunset, and we hurried down to the water’s edge to enjoy the scene … and our S’mores.
Perhaps the principle of forgiveness is humanity’s biggest challenge. We can feel wronged—like William getting sprayed with seawater. He was not happy and proceeded to spray water on his “offender,” and off we went into an unholy war; right there, surrounded by the evening’s peaceful beauty, we argued about who had been more wronged. Who started it anyway!! Thankfully, peace was restored before night prayers and bedtime.
How I wish resolution could be so simple for us adults. Might we trust more in God’s justice to give us the wisdom to reconcile all our perceived wrongs along life’s journey?
Do we dare to imagine that peaceful dialog is possible and even fruitful, from world leaders to our communities and families…even within our own hearts?
Our grandchildren’s insights made me ponder: do we withhold forgiveness so others can learn a lesson—or deny it to ourselves for any reason? Do we embrace forgiveness in principle yet struggle to practice it? If this sounds like you—welcome to humanity! No one is exempt from the struggle. However, if we truly desire resolution, we can trust in God’s grace to lead the way. Our first reading: “Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the Lord?” makes perfect sense in stating that forgiving others contributes to our own healing.
The conversation renewed my commitment to model forgiveness for our younger generations. As a human being (aka a sinner), I believe God’s love for me is whole and infinite, extending forgiveness for debts I could never repay. May I always live in the reality stated in our second reading: that I live for the Lord, that “we are the Lord’s.” Forgiveness is a pure and holy gift from God because God is good, and gratefulness is the only fitting response. Therefore, as beloved children of God, let us begin working for world peace today as we strive to forgive ourselves and each other one step at a time!
