Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

Today's Mass Readings

“If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Today’s Gospel from Matthew)

St. John Chrysostom once wrote, “Nothing makes us so like God as our readiness to forgive the wicked and wrongdoer.” Of all the petitions in the Our Father, Jesus saw fit to emphasize forgiveness. By teaching us this prayer, Jesus is not so subtly reminding us that we are sinners. He is also showing us the pathway to healing. First, we must acknowledge our sinful state. Then, we ask our heavenly Father for His freely given gift of mercy, while also showing forgiveness to others and ourselves. It is important not to forget this last part. How can we ask for forgiveness if we refuse to forgive others? How can we ask for forgiveness if we refuse to forgive ourselves?

Reflection by Br. Augustine Kroeze, OSB