First Reading
Sir 27,30 - 28,7
Grudge and wrath, these also are abominations in which sinful people excel. He who
demands revenge will suffer the vengeance of the Lord who keeps a strict account of
his sins. Forgive the mistakes of your neighbour and you may ask that your sins be
forgiven. If a man bears resentment against another, how can he ask God for healing?
If he has no compassion on others, how can he pray for forgiveness for his sins? As
long as he, mere flesh, is resentful, who will obtain his pardon? Remember your end
and give up hatred; keep in mind your final corruption in the grave and keep the
commandments. Remember the commandments and do not bear grudges against your
neighbour. Remember the covenant with the Most High and overlook the offence.
Refrain from quarrelling and you will avoid sin; the hot-headed man sparks off
disputes. The sinner causes trouble between friends, sowing discord among peaceful
people.
Responsorial Psalm
Bless the Lord, my soul;
all my being, bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, my soul,
and do not forget all his kindness;
He forgives all your sins
and heals all your sickness;
he redeems your life from destruction
and crowns you with love and compassion;
He will not always scold
nor will he be angry forever.
He does not treat us according to our sins,
nor does he punish us as we deserve.
As the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his love for those fearing him;
as far as the east is from the
west, so far does he remove from us our sins.
Second Reading
Rom 14, 7-9
In fact, none of us lives for himself, nor dies for himself. If we live, we live for the
Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Either in life or in death, we belong to the
Lord; Christ experienced death and life to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.
Gospel
Mt 18, 21-35
Peter went up to Jesus and ask "Lord, how many times must I forgive the offences of
my brother or sister? Seven times?" Jesus answered, "No, not seven times, but
seventy-seven times. This story throws light on the kingdom of heaven. A king
decided to settle the accounts of his servants. Among the first was one who owed him
ten thousand gold ingots. As the man could not repay the debt, the king commanded
that he be sold as a slave with his wife, children and all his goods in payment. The
official threw himself at the feet of the king and said, 'Give me time, and I will pay
you back everything.' The king took pity on him and not only set him free but even
cancelled his debt. This official then left the king's presence and he met one of his
companions who owed him a hundred pieces of silver. He grabbed him by the neck
and almost strangled him, shouting, 'Pay me what you owe!' His companion threw
himself at his feet and asked him, 'Give me time, and I will pay everything.' The other
did not agree, but sent him to prison until he had paid all his debt. His companions saw
what happened. They were indignant and so they went and reported everything to their
lord. Then the lord summoned his official and said, 'Wicked servant, I forgave you all
that you owed when you begged me to do so. Weren't you bound to have pity on your
companion as I had pity on you?' The lord was now angry, so he handed his servant
over to be punished, until he had paid his whole debt." Jesus added, "So will my
heavenly Father do with you unless each of you sincerely forgive your brother or
sister."