Proper
19 :: Exodus 14: 19–31; Psalm 114; Romans 14: 1–12; Matthew 18: 21–35
This is the homily by Fr.
Gene Tucker that was given at St. John’s in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania on Sunday,
September 17, 2017.
“CONDUITS OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS”
(Homily text: Matthew 18:
21–35)
Ever
think of yourself as a conduit, a pipeline, an electrical wire, whose purpose
is to receive God’s forgiveness, God’s mercy, God’s goodness, and God’s power,
and then to pass all of those good things on to others?
Today’s
Gospel text makes it clear that, as God supplies (in this case) forgiveness for
our transgressions, we are – in turn – to pass along that forgiveness to
others. In this connection, we are reminded of the Lord’s admonition in the
petition that is part of the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our transgressions, as
we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Matthew’s
record of Jesus’ teaching, as is found in Matthew 7: 14–15 (immediately
following the giving of the Lord’s Prayer), goes on to say, “For if you forgive
others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you
do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you.”
This
morning’s text records Peter’s response to the Lord’s teaching which we heard
last Sunday, in which Jesus outlines the ways in which offenses are to be dealt
with in the Church. So Peter’s question naturally follows last week’s topic, as
he asks the Lord, “How many times should I forgive a brother or sister?” Jesus’
answer is – in essence – that we are to forgive in limitless amounts.
Now,
we followers of Jesus have a problem, a problem we share with the rest of
humanity: We are keenly aware of the things we need in order to survive and to
thrive. We need food, water, a place to live, clothing, companionship, love,
forgiveness (today’s subject) and so many other things.
But
we are, oftentimes, not as aware of the need that others have for those very
same things.
Today’s
teaching admonishes us not to allow our pipeline, our conduit, to become
blocked. For if it does, we have failed in our mission to God and to others. We
cannot receive God’s forgiveness (or any of those other things) if we are
unwilling to allow those things to pass through us and on to others.
We
are the connection – perhaps the only connection – that others often have to
God. As we live out the Gospel imperatives, we are commanded to place our hands
and hearts in God’s service, and to turn around and place our hands and hearts
in the service of others. We are called to be a conduit for God’s goodness,
mercy, forgiveness and love.
AMEN.
