Matthew 18:28-35

“But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’” vs. 28

When we read this parable about forgiveness that Jesus told we can’t help but be appalled at the behavior of the slave who had been forgiven all of his debt. Evidently his heart had been completely untouched by this incredible act of mercy that had changed his life. We wonder how anyone could be so arrogant and unfeeling!

And then we take a look around at life in our world. Businesses and corporations manipulate laws and regulations and reap massive benefits for themselves and their shareholders, with little regard to the effect on those who end up losing their jobs. They seem to think that the mind-boggling profits are their due, and if they can pull all this off without paying taxes, all the better.

And this is only the tip of the iceberg! Attributes like compassion, humility, and service have been largely forgotten in our cultural stampede toward lives of pleasure and luxury. Thank God for those who sacrificially devote themselves to following the Way of Jesus. In a world awash with greed and desire, they forgive as they have been forgiven and love as they have been loved. Their stories may not hit the headlines and they probably don’t have million dollar yachts, but their loving compassion is changing the world.

Thought for the Day: What mercies have been extended to me?