Forgive To Be Forgiven

Homily for Tuesday of the Third Week in Lent

Although Daniel is identified as one of the prophets of Israel, the book that carries his name in the Hebrew Scriptures is not written by him; rather, it is written about him and his three companions. Chapters one through six contain stories about Daniel and these companions. When they were pressed into the service of the king, the chief chamberlain changed their names: Daniel to Belteshazzar, Hananiah to Shadrach, Mishael to Meshach, and Azariah to Abednego. Though the king had his own advisors and counselors, he soon discovered that these four Israelites distanced themselves from the Babylonian court by their wisdom and abilities.

Today’s first reading is taken from chapter three and features Azariah’s prayer. It is really a quite remarkable prayer in that it contains all of the elements necessary for true atonement. Not only does he accept the collective guilt of his nation, he also expresses his sorrow for the betrayal of their covenant relationship with God. Toward the end of that prayer, he also includes what we would call a firm purpose of amendment as he prays: “And now we follow you with our whole heart, we fear you and we pray to you.”

This reading from the Hebrew Scriptures is paired up with the Gospel parable of the unforgiving servant. The story revolves around an issue of a debt owed by the servant. We are told that it is a huge amount. Though his master for gives him, he is unable to forgive a fellow servant who owes him a debt of a far less amount. Matthew, a former tax collector, would have been very familiar with the whole concept of debt as it was oftentimes the case that poor people would be unable to pay their entire tax.

Though the parable revolves around this idea of a monetary debt, it is obvious that Matthew is trying to open our eyes to the great debt that we owe God for the gift of mercy and forgiveness that we have received. This parable is labeled by Matthew as one that describes the Kingdom of God. Consequently, we must parable with the understanding that if we wish to be forgiven our sins, we must, in turn, forgive those who have sinned against us.

There is probably nothing more difficult than granting forgiveness to someone who has hurt us. The difficulty is multiplied when it is someone in whom we have placed our trust that has offended us. Part of our difficulty stems from the fact that, like Peter, we think of forgiveness as a duty while Jesus preaches that forgiveness is an act of love. God has showered us with his love. It remains for us to act with love toward others, even those who have hurt us.