Tuesday of the Third week in Lent
Matthew 18:21-35
‘Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I also had compassion on you?’
ex Wikimedia Commons
Then Peter, drawing near to him, said: “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Even seven times?”
Jesus said to him: “I do not say to you, even seven times, but even seventy times seven times. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is compared to a man who was king, who wanted to take account of his servants. And when he had begun taking account, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But since he did not have any way to repay it, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children, and all that he had, in order to repay it. But that servant, falling prostrate, begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay it all to you.’ Then the lord of that servant, being moved with pity, released him, and he forgave his debt.
But when that servant departed, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarius. And taking hold of him, he choked him, saying: ‘Repay what you owe.’ And his fellow servant, falling prostrate, petitioned him, saying: ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay it all to you.’ But he was not willing. Instead, he went out and had him sent to prison, until he would repay the debt.
Now his fellow servants, seeing what was done, were greatly saddened, and they went and reported to their lord all that was done.
Then his lord called him, and he said to him: ‘You wicked servant, I forgave you all your debt, because you pleaded with me. Therefore, should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I also had compassion on you?’
And his lord, being angry, handed him over to the torturers, until he repaid the entire debt.
So, too, shall my heavenly Father do to you, if each one of you will not forgive his brother from your hearts.”
What do the Fathers say?
St John CHRYSOSTOM. See the exuberance of heavenly love! The servant asked only for a brief respite, but he gives him more than he had asked, a full remittance and cancelling of the whole debt.
But he did not remit the debt till he had taken account, because he would have him know how great were the debts he had set him free of, that by this he should at the least be made more merciful.
There is as great a difference between sins committed against men, and sins committed against God, as between ten thousand talents and a hundred denarii.
For when we are seen of man we withhold and are loath to sin, but we cease not daily though God see us, but act and speak all things fearlessly. Not by this only are our sins against God shown to be more heinous, but also by reason of the benefits which we have received from Him;
He gave us being, and has done all things in our behalf, has breathed into us a rational soul, has sent His Son, has opened heaven to us, and made us His sons. If then we should every day die for Him, could we make Him any worthy return?
St JEROME. That this may be made plainer, let us speak it in instances. If any one of you shall have committed an adultery, a homicide, or a sacrilege, these greater sins of ten thousand talents shall be remitted when you beg for it, if you also shall remit lesser offences to those that trespass against you.
St John CHRYSOSTOM. When he owed him ten thousand talents, he did not call him wicked, nor did he at all chide him, but had mercy on him; but now when he had been ungenerous to his fellow-servant, then he says to him, you wicked servant; Should you not to have had mercy upon your fellow-servant.
Because kindness had not mended him, it only remains that he be corrected by punishment; whence it follows, And the lord of that servant was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay the whole debt. He said not merely, Delivered him, but was angry, this he had not said before when his Lord had commanded that he should be sold; for that was not in wrath, but in love, for his correction; now this is a sentence of penalty and punishment.
And his punishment shall be increasing and eternal, and he shall never be able to repay. And however irrevocable are the graces and callings of God, yet wickedness has that force, that it seems to break even this law.
St REMIGIUS. For God is said then to be wroth, when he takes vengeance on sinners. Torturers are the dæmons, who are always ready to take up lost souls, and torture them in the pangs of eternal punishment.
Will any who is once sunk into everlasting condemnation ever come to find a season of repentance, and a way to escape? Never; He shall be ever paying, and shall never quit the debt, but shall be ever under punishment.