Reflection for Thursday August 14 Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr: Matthew 18:21–19:1

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-19:1

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. 

When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ 

Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ 

But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! 

I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.” 

When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan. 

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Reflection:

The story is told about a philandering husband who was finally caught by his wife. The husband realized his mistake, so he humbly asked for forgiveness. After days of prayer and deep contemplation, the wife finally found it in her heart to forgive her unfaithful husband. 

In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to us about the beauty and depth of true forgiveness. His forgiveness is not partial, hesitant, or tinged with resentment—it is a forgiveness that is complete and unconditional. 

It is a forgiveness without a trace of bitterness or hatred, a forgiveness that can wash away even the darkest stains of our past and paint over them with the bright and gentle colors of hope, healing, and new beginnings. 

But in moments of honest reflection, we might ask ourselves: Can I truly forgive the way Jesus forgives? Many of us would instinctively say, “I cannot.” Why? Because we think, I am only human and Jesus is God. I am finite, and He is infinite. 

Yet, if this is our reasoning, we must remember this truth: Jesus not only forgave us—He also offered His very life for us. On the cross, He forgave those who betrayed Him, denied Him, and crucified Him. His mercy is beyond measure, and His example is meant not only to inspire us but to transform us. 

Who is your role model when it comes to forgiveness? Is it Jesus, whose love knows no bounds, or the unforgiving servant in the Gospel, who could not pass on the mercy he had received? 

Forgiveness is not weakness—it is the power of God at work in the human heart. When we choose to forgive, we choose to let God’s grace flow through us. And in doing so, we not only free others, but we also free ourselves. — Marino J. Dasmarinas