Readings: Sirach 27:30 – 28:7; Psalm 103; Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18:21-35.
Grace and peace to you, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
The dominant theme of today’s readings is forgiveness. The First Reading contains many counsels on forgiveness that we need to hear again and again.
The Gospel reinforces the message through the powerful parable of the unforgiving servant. Jesus teaches us that forgiveness is not optional for the Christian, it is a divine imperative. When we forgive, we share in the nature of God, whom the Psalmist describes as “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and rich in mercy” (Psalm 103:8).
If there is anyone here struggling to forgive a priest, spouse, parent, child, relative, teacher, landlord, boss, colleague or friend, open your heart to Jesus today. Tell him honestly where it hurts, ask him to heal you and to give you the grace to forgive.
Let us now draw and reflect on five messages from the readings.
I. GOD GIVES US SO THAT WE CAN GIVE TO OTHERS.
In the parable, the king forgives a servant an enormous debt which he could never repay. Yet that same servant refuses to show mercy to another person who owes him a far smaller amount.
This reminds us that God gives us mercy so that we may be merciful. He gives us love so that we may love. He comforts us so that we may comfort others. He is patient with us so that we may be patient with those around us.
What have you received from the Lord? Forgiveness, protection, blessings, strength, second chances, peace after trouble? God does not bless us simply for ourselves. He blesses us so that we may become a blessing to others.
II. GOD NEVER TIRES OF FORGIVING THE REPENTANT HEART.
Peter asks Jesus, “How often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?” Jesus replies, “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times” – that is, without keeping count.
If Jesus expects us to forgive without calculating, then we can be confident that God also receives us with mercy whenever we sincerely repent. He does not keep a record against the person who returns to him. As the Lord says, “I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:34).
So, do not give up coming back to God. Do not say, “I have failed too many times.” Come to Confession, ask for mercy, begin again.
At the same time, let us not take God’s mercy for granted. The door of mercy is open not as an encouragement to continue sinning, but as an invitation to repent, rise again and begin anew with God. The time to seek the Lord is now. The scripture tells us- “Now is the favourable time; now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
III. WE MUST ALSO LEARN TO FORGIVE OURSELVES.
Many people are able to forgive others but find it very difficult to forgive themselves. They keep carrying old failures, mistakes, wrong choices and sins which God has already forgiven.
Today, the Lord says to you: receive my mercy, give your past to me, stop allowing guilt to imprison you, say no to sorrow and despair and yes to a new beginning.
Of course, we must learn from our mistakes and, where possible, make amends. But we must not live forever chained to what God has forgiven. If God has washed you, do not continue calling yourself unclean. Accept the title he gives you: washed, forgiven, loved and restored.
IV. BE CAREFUL NOT TO WOUND PEOPLE NEEDLESSLY.
As we hear the call to forgive, restore relationships and reconcile, we must also remember the other side of the message: let us be careful how we speak, behave and treat people. Let us not intentionally or carelessly hurt others and put them in a position where they will struggle to forgive us.
Love and goodness must guide us. People are to be loved, not used. Hearts are to be cherished, not broken. People are to be respected, not abused, humiliated or treated as though their dignity does not matter.
Let us ask ourselves: Have I been unfair to someone? Have I used harsh words? Have I caused someone pain and simply expected them to “get over it”? If we have hurt anyone, let us ask God to touch their hearts to forgive us, and to give us the humility to make amends where possible.
V. JESUS CALLS US TO FORGIVE FROM THE HEART.
To forgive from the heart means that we do not keep a record of wrongs. We do not seek revenge or rejoice when something bad happens to the person who hurt us. We do not keep bringing up the past as a weapon.
To forgive from the heart is to place the person in God’s hands, pray for their healing and conversion, and desire their salvation. It means being open to reconciliation where it is safe, possible and appropriate.
Forgiveness does not mean pretending evil did not happen or acting like it didn’t hurt. It does not mean allowing abuse to continue. But it means refusing to let bitterness rule our hearts. It frees us from the prison of resentment and leaves justice in the hands of God.
My dear brothers and sisters, this is how God forgives us, and this is how He calls and gives us grace to forgive one another.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus, you forgave those who crucified you and you continually forgive us when we return to you. Heal every wounded heart among us. Give us the grace to forgive those who have hurt us, to seek forgiveness where we have caused pain, and to live as people who have received your mercy. May bitterness never rule our hearts, but may your peace, love and compassion reign in us. Amen.
Sermon preached by Fr Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on September 13, 2026