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Gospel Reading for August 13, 2026 – Matthew 18: 21 – 19: 1
ENDLESSLY
Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “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 him 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 choke 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 the fellow servant 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.” When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan.
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Seventy-seven times—or ENDLESSLY. We are called to forgive without limit because we ourselves sin against God ENDLESSLY, and yet he forgives us ENDLESSLY as well.
It is indeed deplorable that the servant who begged his master not to sell him, together with his family and possessions, to pay his debt would then treat a fellow servant—who owed him a much smaller amount and who likewise pleaded for mercy—in a manner completely opposite to the compassion shown by his master.
In John 20: 23, Jesus gave his disciples the authority to forgive or retain sins, saying, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” How truly blessed we are!
Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are able to receive Jesus’ forgiveness. He gives us a new slate, allowing us to begin again and restore our broken relationship with God.
“O my God, I am sorry and
repent with all my heart
for all the wrong I have done
and for the good I have failed to do,
because by sinning I have offended you,
who are all good and worthy
to be loved above all things.
I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace,
to do penance, to sin no more,
and to avoid the occasions of sin.
Through the merits of the Passion of our
Savior Jesus Christ,
Lord, have mercy.” Amen.
