Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent

Lectionary: 238

“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.

Jesus' reply clearly intended to explode Peter's restricting number seven; and it has has been translated variously as 77 times and as 70 times 7 times. But I have heard spouses, in-laws, and parents say that neither 77 nor 490 is enough. 

Although it seems to go against the grain of our human nature, forgiveness must be habitual among the disciples of Jesus. It should come as easily as the graces that, Jeremiah says, are renewed every morning: 

But this I will call to mind;

therefore I will hope:

The LORD’s acts of mercy are not exhausted,

his compassion is not spent;

They are renewed each morning—

great is your faithfulness!

Because God's mercies are renewed each day, the Church reminds us that we should renew our devotion every morning; and often. Waking up and remembering yesterday's grievances, we say, "That was yesterday! Get over it! You cannot afford the luxury of regret or resentment." 

We have better things to do, and better things to think about. The world likes to tell us, 

"Revenge is a dish best served cold." Meaning that retaliation is more satisfying or effective when it is planned and carried out over a period of time, rather than immediately in the heat of anger. (source, AI-Google)

We can think about that teaching; we can explore its dimensions and walk through its icy rooms. It has a certain attraction, like the sparkling ice castles that people build in January -- and demolish in February.  

Or we can walk with the Lord in the springtime of Easter, and feel the sunshine of his love and the joyous freedom of his resurrected body.