May 01, 2014
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
A reading from the Gospel of Saint Matthew 18, 21 – 35:
Then Peter approaching asked Jesus, “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. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did his homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choked him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”
We had a beautiful sunny day on Wednesday and I thank the Lord for this find day. I hope we will have another nice day tomorrow.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord, the Son of God, given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“Forgive your brother or your sister My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters as often as they offend you. When Saint Peter asked Me the question how many times should he forgive his brother if he sins against him. I told him seventy-seven times. I gave a story of a master and his servants. The master in this story is God the Father and the servants are all those who have committed sin. When the master found that one servant owed him a big amount of money, he wanted to throw him into prison but when the servant pleaded with him, the master pardoned him and let him go. However, that servant did just the opposite with a servant who owed him a little bit of money. He had him thrown into prison until all the money was paid. When the master heard this, he called the wicked servant and had him arrested and thrown into prison until the money was paid. This is how our heavenly Father will react if you do not forgive your brother or sister who has offended you. Never keep any hatred against anyone in your heart. If you do then you are separated from Me for I cannot live in a heart full of hatred. Forgive those who have offended you and get rid of this hatred and repent and I will return to your heart and live there with you. I am your example for I forgave all those who tortured Me and killed Me before I died on the cross. Come and walk with Me and follow Me.”
Father Melvin
P.S. We are not entering the beautiful month of May which is the month of Mary, Our Heavenly Mother. Let us show Her during this month our great devotion and let us pray the rosary every day. May the Lord bless you all.