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How can we who were once filled with the love and wisdom of God be suddenly so blind and clueless? Sin does indeed rob us of our senses, leaves us dry, wanting and stupid! Why then do we allow sin to take over? To take control of our lives? Why are we so gullible to fall for what appears desirable and beautiful on the surface? Even the attraction to the beauty of power which lies hidden in rage and an unbridled tongue!

Yet our Lord Jesus had given us laws written on our hearts to be our guide. To follow so as not to become separated from the One who loves us most. To see the truth and the light which illuminates all that lies hidden and in darkness. So that in HIs wisdom, love and holiness we can be witnesses to all.

Lord Jesus let me never take the love of my God for granted. Liberate me from the chains of Sin that I may be free to be in the light of Your Love and help me remain faithful to the Will of my heavenly Father. In Your most precious name I pray….Amen

FIRST READING
Deuteronomy 4:1, 5–9

GOSPEL
Matthew 5:17–19

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

How many times have I pleaded for mercy from You O Lord my God? Each time promising to do better, praying for Your strength to overcome my weaknesses. Then having fallen yet again broken and sorrowful, I thought to myself surely my Lord’s patience had run out for me. Having no where else to go and terribly missing our relationship, I pleaded once again and still You forgave me. Cloaked with the warm of Your loving embrace I found myself weeping. How great it our merciful and loving God!

You forgave me from the Cross, Lord Jesus; How can I do any less for my brethren? I have done many wicked things against the Will of my heavenly Father and yet when I turned to Him with a contrite heart, His bountiful mercy was upon me. How can I not extend that same mercy to those who have wronged me? Help me Lord Jesus overcome my wilful nature, fill me with Your love that I may learn Your ways, Your statues, so that Your Will be done. Now and forevermore. Amen

How great it our merciful and loving God!

First Reading
Daniel 3:25, 34-43

Gospel
Matthew 18:21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”