St. John Parish recently issued the following announcement.

The message of the gospel for Sunday is an answer to one of the most burning and actual questions; can mankind survive in the escalation of violence? Is it possible to break the circle of hatred, in which threats, and acts of revenge, implacably follow up one another? According to the Bible, revenge is a sin. Sin is like a demon lurking at door (Genesis 4/7). If I respond to evil with evil, where will evil ever stop?

In today’s gospel, Peter’s question is more personal— the case is more precise. ‘Lord how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ (Mathew 18/21). Peter points out here that some people really go too far to forgive people. They may go once, twice or even three times. Once again Jesus explodes all Peter’s calculations and ours, too. He invites everyone to put no limitations at all to our forgiveness; you must forgive always, he tells us. ‘I don’t say to you seven times, but seventy times seven’

Without any doubt, mercy and forgiveness are among the values of the kingdom movement launched by Jesus. All religions in the world fight against evil and have compassion for those who suffer with evil in any form. But Jesus performed an extraordinary act on the cross. He forgave everyone. ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23/33). In fact, this gospel challenges everyone. Shall I have the courage to look sincerely at my life and ask this question: how often must I forgive my brother/sister who wrongs me? Jesus mercifully warns us that it is terrible not to love…… Forgive!

Original source can be found here.