Thursday 13 August

Joshua 3:7-11, 13-17; Ps 114;
Matthew 18;21-19:1

Mercy and Justice

The parable of the man whose master forgave him a huge debt, only to find the same man treated one of his own debtors badly provides an unpleasant picture for us to live by. Our heavenly father forgives us over and over again – thankfully, far more frequently than seven times. Yet, apart maybe from the saints, most of us struggle to wholeheartedly forgive people who offend us (apart, perhaps, from those we love very dearly).

Dear Lord, the key to true forgiveness is love. Help me love others – not just the ones I find easy to take into my heart, but those who offend me.