Here are the readings for today’s Mass for anyone interested.
First Reading: Dan 3:25, 34-43
Responsorial Psalm: 25:4 ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9
Gospel : Matt 18:21-35
Click Here for the Full Readings
The common thread of each of these readings seem to me to be the humility that we must have when coming to the Lord.
The reading from Daniel says “But with contrite heart and humble spirit
let us be received;”
Psalm 25 says “He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way.”
The Gospel of Matthew talks about how those of us who are forgiven by God should forgive others who sin against us. If we do not we will have the punishment restored to us in full until we pay it back. Sometimes it takes humility to forgive others. We often let our pride get in the way of offering forgiveness for those who sin against us.
I also find that this passage is interesting as it does seem to indicate that there are scenarios in the afterlife that we may be punished for what we do and that punishment is not Hell as it seems that this debt can be paid back. Might this be Purgatory?
Protestants sometimes talk about the “refining fire” of the Lord in this life that is used to put them back on the path and help them mature as Christians. It seems to me that if we die but are not quite “refined” that we may need to have some refining done before we enter Heaven. This concept is what Purgatory is about. Face it… most of us will be sinning at the end of our lives, which indicates to me that we will need some of that “refining fire” of God. Thank the Lord that he has such a place to finish our sanctification. I realize nothing unclean can enter Heaven and as the Lord applies the final applications of his “refining fire” in Purgatory, I will be ready to enter Heaven and all its Glory.
