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| “Crossing the |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Joshua 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17
Commentary on Jos 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17
The leadership of the tribes of Israel has been passed on to Joshua by Moses. This passage begins the next phase in the history of God’s interaction with the descendants of Abraham. Here we find Joshua instructed by God to demonstrate that he (the Lord God) would precede them as he had promised. The miraculous damming of the Jordan River is the sign chosen to mark this transition; it reprises the crossing of the Red Sea.
CCC: Jos 3:10 2112
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 114:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. Alleluia!
Commentary on Ps 114:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
The final strophe of this psalm of thanksgiving recalls the miracle of the crossing of the Jordan (Joshua 3:13ff). This event, like other salvific involvement by God, is celebrated in song by King David’s line.
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Gospel: Matthew 18:21–19:1
Commentary on Mt 18:21–19:1
This selection from the Gospel from St. Matthew provides a teaching moment, as Jesus explains how his followers must forgive others. Peter asks Jesus how many times a person who sins must be forgiven. Jesus responds that forgiveness must be without limits. Jesus uses Hebrew numerology in this illustration. Seven in Hebrew terms is the perfect or complete number. So when Peter asks “…how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” he is asking if he must forgive him completely. The metaphor the Lord uses in reply “seventy times seven” would imply an absolute forgiveness. "Jesus contrasts the behavior expected of the apostles with the boundless vengeance of Lamech in Genesis 4:24 (LXX), where the same figures of 'seven' and 'seventy times seven' are contrasted (CCC 982)."[4]
Jesus illustrates the requirement for Christian forgiveness with the parable of the unmerciful servant. As in many of the parables, the one who does what is wrong, in this case failing to show mercy and forgiveness even when it was shown to him, suffers a much worse fate in the final judgment.
CCC: Mt 18:21-22 982, 2227, 2845; Mt 18:23-35 2843; Mt 19:1-12 2364
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Reflection:
The theme of forgiveness is central for us as we hear Jesus telling Peter that absolute and complete forgiveness is required of those who wish to claim discipleship. The first reading from Joshua has a symbol of God’s forgiveness. Did you catch it? Just as God’s people walked through the Red Sea on dry land as a symbol of God’s deliverance from sin, they also follow Joshua across the Jordan, once more on dry land; passing through the waters and being set free (as we have been in Baptism, passing through the waters to be set from sin).
Peter’s question is more direct: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?” is answered by Jesus first symbolically (seventy times seven) and then emphatically, using the parable of the unmerciful servant. The moral of this parable is quite clear to us. If God will forgive us the sins we have committed against him, how can we hold those (especially our brothers and sisters) accountable for sins we perceive that they have committed against us?
As we hear time and time again in the Gospel we profess, forgiveness is the great healer. When we forgive from the heart as Jesus commands, we are ourselves healed.
The worst hurt in the world is often caused by those we love most dearly. When we perceive that they have wronged us, because of that close relationship, we hold them accountable for their actions. If there is no recognition by the other that reconciliation is required of them, that debt of atonement builds. It grows and develops first into resentment of the debt and then into anger and even hatred which is self-destructive and leads to even greater sin.
Forgiveness washes away the gulf that is opened by perceived wrongs. Again, especially in close relationships, forgiveness by the one wronged often will open the way for reconciliation and a strengthening of the bond of love that exists.
Today we praise the Lord for his gift of forgiveness and ask him to help us as we try to emulate him.
Pax
[1] The picture is “Crossing the Jordan ” by Gerard Hoet and C. Huibertz, Published 1728
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. pp. 8
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