Tuesday 21 March

Daniel 3:25, 34-43; Psalm 25; Matthew 18:21-35

Forgiveness

God’s love is unconditional, God’s mercy is unconditional, but God’s forgiveness is conditional – conditional on our forgiving others. ‘… that is how my heavenly Father will deal with each of you, unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.’ A warning which Jesus reinforces in the Lord’s Prayer: ‘Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.’ Nor is it a grudging or token forgiveness; it must be forgiveness ‘from your heart.’ From whom am I withholding such real and heartfelt forgiveness?