HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE NINTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME. (1)

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE NINTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME.

THEME: Lord, How often must I forgive my brother and my sister ?’

BY: Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA.

*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Joshua 3:7-11,13-17
Psalm 113:1-6
Matthew 18:21-19:1

*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
GREEN

*INTRODUCTION*
Good morning dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate Thursday of week 19 in Ordinary Time, Year A.

*FROM OUR GOSPEL READING*
Today’s gospel, Jesus is telling us the how often of forgiveness. Peter said: “Seven times.” This is because Peter was thinking in a Jewish way that they are only allowed to forgive three times, after that no more. By saying it, Peter was thinking may be that, that is enough. But Jesus said: ‘Not only seven times but seventy-seven times.” In other words, forgiveness is without limitation. This parable presents to us the reason why Christians should practice limitless forgiveness. The whole message of today’s gospel is the necessity to continuously forgive a person. For this is exactly what God is also doing to us. He never refuses to forgive us every time we ask forgiveness from Him.

RELATED: HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

*WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THE GOSPEL READING OF TODAY*
Dear Friends in Christ, todays Gospel reading can be summarized by Cherie Carter Scoot in her book, *If Life is a Game, These are the Rules* , in this book she talks about four kinds of forgiveness:

1. The first one is forgiveness for yourself: That we must be compassionate to ourselves for doing the best under the circumstances we have at that time; make amends then release the situation.

2. Second is forgiveness of others: when we forgive someone for a moderate transgression by identifying with the person’s motivation so we can realize why the person did what he did; show compassion and then release it.

3. Third is advanced forgiveness of yourself: This is meant for serious transgressions when we did something that violates our own values and ethics by seeking to understand why we did it; make amends and find it in our hearts to absolve it.

4. The fourth is advanced forgiveness of others: when we have been wronged or hurt by others to such an extent that forgiveness seems impossible!

*CONCLUSION*
May the Lord, our most loving and compassionate, patient and kind Master, continue to bless and love us all, and may He continue to guide each and every one of us as we continue to live our lives in our world today. May God be with us always and may He bless our every good efforts and works, all of our actions and dealings, our way of life. Amen.

Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA.

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