Forgiveness

Welcome to DAY 10 of the Lent Lectio Divina series Throughout these 6 weeks we will pause each day for a few moments to Read a passage of scripture, Reflect on what God is saying to us through it, and Ask the Holy Spirit to help us as we step into the invitation this passage offers us Before we begin this reading, take a moment to notice your breath and rest in the silence as we centre our heart, mind, body, and spirit on the presence of God. This week’s breath prayer is based on Matthew 21:9 “Jesus was in the centre of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, ‘Praise God for the Son of David!’” As you breathe in, pray “Jesus”, As you breathe out, pray “Be the centre” Today’s Bible Reading comes from Matthew 18:21-35 As we read this passage now, be listening for one word or phrase the Holy Spirit highlights to you. The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a] 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[b] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, cancelled the debt and let him go. 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” What is one word or phrase the Holy Spirit impressed on you in that reading? Take a moment to MEDITATE on this. As we move into our second reading, consider how this passage relates to a current area of your life RE-READ PASSAGE 2ND TIME What specific situation in your life does this passage relate to today? Take a moment now to PRAY about this As we move into our final reading, consider what God is saying to you personally today from this passage. RE-READ PASSAGE 3RD TIME What is Christ’s personal invitation to you from this passage today? Take a moment now to CONTEMPLATE this Let us take this time now into the coming day as we are Led by the Spirit Fed by the Word and Inherit the Father’s Kingdom on Earth Amen