“And if he wrongs you seven times in one day
and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’
you should forgive him.”

luke 17:4

Luke 17:1-6

Reflection

Jesus tells his disciples to be on guard against sin, as it will inevitably occur. He says they must forgive those who wrong them, even if it is seven times in one day. The disciples then ask for Jesus to increase their faith, and he tells them that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed, they could tell a mulberry tree to uproot itself.

Jesus’ emphasis on forgiveness is important. He tells us that even if someone sins against us multiple times in one day, we must forgive them each time. This can be very difficult to do, especially if we don’t particularly like the person wronging us or the sin against us is repeated.

When we forgive others who wrong us, we open our hearts to more charity and humility. We could easily be in their situation – having sinned against them – and would expect forgiveness. In this way, we realize how sinful we truly are, and we can begin to grow in humility.

Ask the Lord how you can better forgive those who sin against you, and pray for the grace to grow in humility and love of your neighbor.

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Saint of the Day

St. Leo the Great: died AD 461

“The God who cannot suffer did not disdain to be a man who can, and, immortal though he was, to subject himself to the laws of death.” Letter 28, Pope St. Leo the Great