Word Word ofof

Life Life September 2010

"I do not say to you seven

times, but seventy times

seven. "

(Mt 18,22)

These words were saidby Jesus in reply to Peter

who, after listeningto the marvellous things

he said,put this question to Jesus:

‘Lord, how often shallmy brother sin against me,

and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’

Jesus answered:‘I do not say to you

seven times,but seventy times seven.’

In all probability,Peter had been so struck

by the master’s preaching that, full of goodness and generosity as he was, he

decided to take a bold step forward

in this new way of behaving.He was going to do

something exceptional, be willing to forgive

as many as seven times….

By answering ‘seventy times seven times’, Jesus is saying that for him forgiveness has no limits.

We must forgive always.   

" I do not say to you seven

times, but seventy times

seven. “(Mt 18,22)

" I do not say to you seven

times, but seventy times

seven. “(Mt 18,22)

This sentence calls to mind the biblical song of Lamech,a descendant of Adam:

‘If Cain is avenged sevenfold,truly Lamech seventy-sevenfold’.

Thus hatred began to spread among the peopleof the world, swelling like a river in flood.

Against this spreading of evil, Jesus proposesthe unlimited and unconditional forgiveness

that is capable of breaking the cycle of violence.

Only forgiveness can stem this tide of mayhem and offer the human race a future that is not self-destruction.    

" I do not say to you seven

times, but seventy times

seven. “(Mt 18,22)

To forgive, to forgive always. Forgiving is not the same as forgetting,

which often implies unwillingness to face reality.

Forgiveness is not weakness in the sense of ignoring a wrong done

for fear of the stronger person who committed it.Forgiveness does not mean saying that something does not

matterwhen it is serious, or that something is good when it is bad.

Forgiveness is not indifference. Forgiveness is a conscious act of will, and therefore a free act, which means welcoming our brothers

and sisters as they are, despite the wrong done to us,just as God accepts us sinners, despite our faults. Forgiveness

means not responding to one offence with another, but in doingwhat Paul tells us: ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil

with good’

Forgiveness means offering the person who has wronged you

the chance to have a new relationship with you. It makes it possible for both of you to start life againand have a future in which evil does not have the last

word.

" I do not say to you seven

times, but seventy times

seven. “(Mt 18,22)

How can we live this Word of Life?Peter had asked Jesus:

‘How often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive?’

In answering him Jesus had in mind above all

the relationships among Christians,

among members of the same community.

Therefore, it is first of all with our brothers and sisters in faith that we must act like this – in our own family, at work,

at school, in the community to which we belong.We know that when we are offended

we are often tempted to react with similar words or deeds.

Often, differences in temperament, or stress, or other causes, mean that those who live in the same household

failto love one another. We must never forget that

only an attitude of forgiveness, constantly renewed,can maintain peace and unity.

We will always tend to think of our brothers’ and sisters’ failings,to remember their past and want them to be different

from the way they are… So we must get into the habit of looking at them with new eyes and seeing them as new people,

accepting them always, immediately and without reservation, even if they do not repent.

You might say: ‘But that’s hard!’

And you would be right.Yet this is

the beauty of Christianity.

After all,it is Christ we are

following, Christ who, on the cross,

asked the Father to forgive those

who were killing him,and he rose from the

dead.

Take courage then. Let’s begin to live a life like this.

It will give us a peace we have never felt beforeand such joy as we have never known.

“Word of Life”, monthly publication of the Focolare Movement.

Original text by: Chiara Lubich, September 1999.

Graphic design by Anna Lollo in collaboration with Fr. Placido D’Omina (Sicily - Italy)

This commentary on the Word of Life is translated in 96 languages,

and it reaches millions of people throughout the world through the press, radio, TV

and internet – for more information visit www.focolare.org

This Powerpoint presentation is translated in various languages

and is published on www.santuariosancalogero.org

“Word of Life”, monthly publication of the Focolare Movement.

Original text by: Chiara Lubich, September 1999.

Graphic design by Anna Lollo in collaboration with Fr. Placido D’Omina (Sicily - Italy)

This commentary on the Word of Life is translated in 96 languages,

and it reaches millions of people throughout the world through the press, radio, TV

and internet – for more information visit www.focolare.org

This Powerpoint presentation is translated in various languages

and is published on www.santuariosancalogero.org

"I do not say to you seven

times, but seventy times

seven.“

(Mt 18,22)