Sunday, September 13, 2026

Dear brothers and sisters,

In last weekend’s Gospel, Jesus taught us how to correct others with love, respect, patience, and humility. This weekend, He takes that lesson one step further by teaching us why forgiveness must have no limits. First, we should remember that forgiveness is not only merely a command from God, but also a path to our own spiritual growth. According to the first reading, resentment, anger, and the desire for revenge can imprison our hearts and lead us to sin. While letting go of hurtful feelings and forgiving those who have wronged us, we break free from the power of bitterness and open ourselves to sacred healing that God desires for His children. Forgiveness brings peace to our hearts, purity to our minds, and strength to continue our journey of faith.

Second, because we are united in Christ, our relationship with God is inseparable from our relationship with one another. As God's children, we belong to Him and strive to live according to His will. Although we are weak and imperfect, we seek each day to follow Christ more faithfully and grow in holiness. At the same time, we belong to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. While we have different gifts, responsibilities, and circumstances, we are called to support, encourage, and care for one another in love. As St. Paul reminds us in the second reading, “whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.” For this reason, forgiveness is essential to preserving the unity of Christ's Church and reflecting His love in our daily lives. Our common faith in the Lord should not only rise above our individual differences, but also join our hearts, our choices, and our actions together in the service of God and one another.

Finally, we forgive without limit because God has first forgiven us without measure. Since the number seven symbolizes completeness, perfection, and divine fullness in Jewish tradition and throughout Sacred Scripture, Peter may have thought he was being especially generous when he asked Jesus whether forgiving someone seven times would be enough. Yet Jesus was not setting a higher limit on forgiveness. Rather, He Jesus used the number seventy-seven symbolically to teach that true forgiveness must be derived from the unconditional and boundless love. Like the king who freely forgave an enormous debt, God continually pours out His mer-cy upon us whenever we repent. Having received such boundless mercy, we are called to extend that same mercy to others as we always make this commitment in the the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Sincerely yours in Jesus Christ and Our Lady of La Vang!

Reverend Kiet Anh Ta.