24A Sunday homily (13 September 2026) Forgiveness

 

24A Sunday Homily, Matthew 18:21­-35 September 13, 2026

1.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.

 

2. GOSPEL: MATTHEW 18:21­-35

A. 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.  

B. 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.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. WE ARE FORGIVEN

i) We are sinners who have been forgiven many times by Jesus.

ii) Jesus has taught us in the Our Father to ask for forgiveness and to forgive others.

iii) Jesus has provided us with the sacrament of reconciliation, confession, as a sign of his willingness to always forgive us

B. WE MUST FORGIVE OTHERS 

i) 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.

ii) When we forgive others, we make them happy and we also make ourselves happy. 

iii) 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.

 

4.CONCLUSION

A. 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.

B. 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. 

C. 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.