24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) - 13 September 2026
13th September 2026
“To withhold forgiveness is to take poison and expect the unforgiven to die.” - St Augustine of Hippo
A reflection on today's Gospel message taken from Archbishop Fulton Sheen's Walk With God:
Forgiveness appears in some by not returning hate with hate; in others, by the inner waiving of a legitimate right to revenge. But it reaches its peak when no external circumstance is permitted to excuse pardoning others.
In the parable of the Good Samaritan there was this universalisation of the family relationship. Race, profession, nationality were not permitted to obscure the need of helping an “enemy”. Peter set a limit to pardon. He was willing to forgive seven times, but the Lord told him to be prepared to forgive seventy times seven, which is not 490 but infinitely.
One of the most beautiful things about forgiveness is that it can evoke love where there was none before. It then becomes imitative of God’s way with us Who loves us “while we were yet sinners.” We pardon as we love. Since God loves infinitely, He pardons without limit.
Forgiveness has a strong redemptive power. Men’s persuasions and explanations and devices may fail, but the love that was shown by forgiveness first manifested on the Cross is the simplest way to the human heart.
In the light of the eternal judgement, he who refuses to forgive others breaks down the bridge over which he himself must pass, for everyone has need to be forgiven. The Divine Law is that only those who forgive will be forgiven.
When we injure a fellow man, sometimes it takes a lifetime to be restored to his good graces. But the Lord forgives with a tear. Joy and sorrow have the same fountain – tears. The most beautiful mystery of religion is this: “If we had never sinned, we could never call Jesus, ‘Saviour’.”
Prayer for Forgiveness
O Lord, Jesus Christ, Redeemer and Saviour, in Your mercy forgive my sins. Count not my transgressions, but rather, my tears of repentance. Remember not my iniquities, but, more especially, my sorrow for the offences I have committed against You. Help me to mirror Your merciful heart so I may forgive all those who have hurt or wronged me and those I love. Amen.