Twentieth-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 17, 2023

Dear Parishioners,

Forgiveness is one of the important and necessary characteristics of Christian life. The 24th Sunday Gospel highlights Jesus’ request that we must forgive each other “not seven times but seventy-seven times” (Mt 18:22). Forgiving those who have offended us is one of the most difficult things to do. However, Jesus left us an example by forgiving his executioners while he hung dying on the cross. In today’s Gospel, “Jesus employs a parable to illustrate the extent to which his followers must be willing to forgive and the consequences that will befall them if they are not” (Dianne Bergant, Preaching the New Lectionary, 346). The parable of the debtor explains why it is necessary to always forgive each other. “So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart” (Mt 18:35). Christianity invites people to forgive each otherbecause God himself has been so generous in forgiving us. “If we cannot forgive others, perhaps we have not been transformed by God’s forgiveness of us” (Dianne Bergant, Preaching the New Lectionary, 347). Forgiveness is like a stream flowing into life to wash away dirtiness and renew life.

In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” If we cannot forgive others, how can God forgive us? If we close our hearts to others, God’s mercy cannot enter into our hearts. Once we have compassion for others, we will feel great mercy from God. The world today is full of hatred, war, and violence. The Word of God calls us to make peace and live in justice. Jesus invites each of us to continue living his mission of forgiveness. Living forgiveness is bringing love and peace to others. We forgive to worthy of God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness is the identity of those who want to follow Jesus. The disciples of Jesus follow a less-traveled road. The more we forgive, the more we become God’s children. On the other hand, forgiveness is what makes the Catholic Church and its members special in the world. This is why we need the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This mercy sacrament brings each of us to live in the peace and happiness of the heavenly kingdom.

Yours in Christ, Lam Vo