Readings:

1st Reading	Sirach 27:30-28:7
Responsorial Psalm	Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12
2nd Reading	Romans 14:7-9
Gospel	Matthew 18:21-35

Theme:

God said that he desires mercy and not sacrifice. Mercy involves forgiveness. As Christians, we are expected, in fact, commanded to forgive others. This is a condition so that we too can be forgiven by God.

Questions:

Day 1: The first reading is taken from the book of Sirach. This book is sometimes called Ecclesiasticus (not to be confused with Ecclesiastes). It speaks of anger, forgiveness and mercy.

• If wrath and anger are hateful, why do some people find it hard to let go of it?

• According to the author, what is the condition so that your sins will be forgiven?

• From the first reading, what should you do to receive healing and mercy?

Day 2: The author continues to speak about forgiveness.

• Why is it important to forgive sins?

• Why did the author point us to our last days when he speaks of unforgiveness?

• How can justice be done if a sin is forgiven?

Day 3: The psalm speaks of the things that God has done.

• How can you bless the Lord with all that is in you as per verse 1?

• In verses 3 to 10 what are the benefits that God has done? Explain each of them.

• God has removed your sins as far as the east is from the west. What does this mean?

• What will you tell the Lord about his forgiveness?

Day 4: The psalm continues to speak of God's love.

• If God is a God of justice, why will God not deal with us according to our sins?

• Does this mean that we can go on sinning since there will be no consequence to sin?

• How can you reconcile God's justice and his mercy?

Day 5: The second reading speaks of living and dying to the Lord.

• What did St. Paul mean when he said that we live to the Lord?

• What did he mean when he said that we die to the Lord?

• St. Paul said that we are the Lord's. What does this mean?

• How is this relevant to you?

Day 6: The gospel reading speaks of forgiveness. St. Peter asked how many times he has to forgive. By saying Seventy seven times, Jesus is speaking figuratively – meaning as many times as they repent.

• Do you think it is just to continue forgiving someone if they continue to do the same sin over and over again?

• In the parable, ten thousand talents is a large sum of money. Some commentators say that this is equivalent to $9,000,000. Another person owed him a hundred denarii or about $15. What can you say about the lord who forgave the millions in debt? What can you say about the slave who demanded payment for the $15 in debt?

• We also owe God a large debt that we cannot pay. Jesus came to pay it for us and so God canceled our debt. What will you tell the Lord about his canceling your debt to him?

Day 7: The parable continues with the confrontation between the lord and the slave.

• According to the lord in the parable, why did he forgive the slave? How is this relevant to us?

• What did the lord expect the slave to do to those who have a debt to him? What is God expecting you to do to those who have hurt you?

• Jesus said, “my heavenly Father will also do to everyone of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Forgiveness is not based on feeling. It is an act of will. One may still be hurt, but one can forgive despite the hurt. Can you enumerate those whom you have not forgiven. Can you, by an act of will say that you have forgiven them?

• If you find this hard to do, how will you ask Jesus to help you forgive?