09/12/2026
The number seventy-seven, given in today's Gospel as the number of times we are to forgive someone, is not meant to be taken literally..........otherwise that seventy-eighth time the same person asked for forgiveness would be a problem. Instead, Jesus uses these numbers to illustrate the need to always offer forgiveness and to ask for forgiveness. It seems like a nice idea until you stop and think about people you know who continuously make poor decisions. We can also think of our own bad decisions that we might repeat. Jesus reminds us that God's love and forgiveness does not run out. We should still protect ourselves and can feel hurt and anger, but forgiveness helps us move beyond these and act like Christ. Forgiveness a challenging Christian value to practice but also one of the most worthwhile.
