Daily homily for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent
Theme: PLEADING FOR MERCY
By: FR GERALD M. MUSA
Homily for Tuesday March 22 2022
“God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy,” says Pope Francis. Azariah prayed fervently amid the fire asking God for mercy. He prayed, “For your name’s sake do not give us up utterly, and do not break your covenant, and do not withdraw your mercy from us…” Like Azariah, we are always before God pleading for mercy. God shows us mercy, but we hardly extend the mercy to others. Jesus explains this point in the parable of the ungrateful and unforgiving servant who asked the king for mercy, saying, “Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” Out of pity, the king granted him mercy and wrote off his debt of ten thousand denarii. That same servant whose debt was forgiven met a fellow servant who owed him a hundred denarii. His fellow servant pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you. He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay his debt.” What a contradiction and display of mercilessness! Jesus says, as God forgives us, we are obliged to forgive those who offend us. Jesus tells us to forgive seventy times seven times, which implies there is no limit to forgiveness. In other words, if you want to be forgiven, show forgiveness. How merciful are we to people who constantly offend, attack, and humiliate us?
DANIEL 3:2, 11-20; MATTHEW 18:25-31 Tuesday, 3rd Week Of Lent