TOPIC: FORGIVENESS
STORY
John was playing basketball with his good friend when his friend
accidentally pushed him. His friend
immediately apologised to John. John was angry and refused to forgive
him. That night and the following day his friend called John to
apologise. John still refused to forgive
him. A few days later John received a
call that his friend died suddenly. John
was deeply affected by this news as he regretted not having forgiven his good
friend. This guilt stayed with him for
many years.
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 18:21-35
THE SERVANT WAS FORGIVEN
A servant, John, owed his master a large sum of money. He pleaded for time as he would repay his debt. His master forgave him his huge debt.
THE SERVANT REFUSED TO FORGIVE
This servant John, who was forgiven was asked to forgive his fellow
servant who owed him a very small amount of money. He refused to forgive this small debt. The master upon hearing this
punished John for having received forgiveness, yet he refused to forgive.
APPLICATION TO LIFE
WE ARE FORGIVEN
1) We are sinners who have been forgiven many times by Jesus.
2) Jesus has taught us in the Our Father to ask for forgiveness and to
forgive others.
3) Jesus has provided us with the sacrament of reconciliation, confession, as a sign of his willingness to always forgive us.
WE MUST FORGIVE OTHERS
1) People are weak and inclined to hurt others by word or by action.
Sometimes it is deliberate and at other times not deliberate. This is a fact of life.
2) When we forgive others, we make them happy and we also make ourselves
happy.
3) Forgiving others is a sign of a true disciple of Jesus who came to
seek out the sinners, forgive them and bring them back to his father.
CONCLUSION
1) John refused to forgive his friend when he had the opportunity. When
his friend died suddenly, John regretted not having forgiven his friend when he
had a chance to do so.
2) The master forgave his servant, John, a huge debt John owed his
master. Yet, John refused to forgive a
fellow servant a small debt. The master
punished John for not forgiving his fellow servant.
3) Jesus has forgiven us a countless number of times. He has taught us the importance of forgiving
others. We thank Jesus for his
forgiveness and ask for his help to forgive others.
