March 29, Tuesday Lenten Weekday

Remember your mercies, O Lord. — Psalm 25:6

Mass readings: Daniel 3:25,34-43 / Matthew 18:21-35

Repenting and Forgiving 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus talks about the callous steward. Excused from a huge debt he owed his master, he turned around and had a man who owed him a much smaller amount thrown in prison. Why couldn’t he forgive as he’d been forgiven? Could it be pride prevented him from admitting he was wrong and in need of forgiveness, and the same pride made him go for the jugular when he was wronged? 

How different from St. Margaret of Cortona (1247-1297), sometimes called the “Second Magdalene.” A prodigal daughter, she broke all the rules, but when she came to her senses, she spent her lifetime confessing her sins and making atonement for those she had hurt. Humbly acknowledging her need to be forgiven, she could, in turn, forgive because God had softened and transformed her heart.

Prayer: Lord, give us the gift of tears, heartily sorrowful for sinfulness, deeply thankful for forgiveness.