The 16th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A
Scriptures: Genesis 50:15-21; Psalm 103: [1-7] 8-13; Matthew 18:21-35; Romans 14:1-12.
Key verse: “For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.” Romans 14:9
Questions to ponder:
1. From your perspective, why would God entrust us the gift of forgiveness and commission us to use it relentlessly even by knowing that we might not forgive well?
2. When did you learn about the cruelty of being judged or being judgmental of others? What might be the causes of such mindsets or behaviors?
3. What may make being judgmental easier than practicing releasing forgiveness? How can we move from being judgmental to releasing forgiveness for the sake of ourselves and others?
Prayer: God of the dead and the living and God of all who come from a variety of traditions, cultures, faith beliefs, political views, or professions, may your forgiveness soften our hearts, shape our characters, change our minds and hearts, and guide our words and deeds. Through the cross of Jesus, his obedience to his mission, and his compassion for our weakness, we give thanks to you each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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