The Gospel reading speaks of the necessity that we forgive one another, “not seven times, but seventy-seven times” because we should be merciful and compassionate as our heavenly Father. We may find it not so hard to forgive those we like. But it is not as easy to forgive those whom we do not like or who have gravely injured us.       

It takes God’s grace to soften our hearts, to look beyond the offense committed against us, and to understand the offender. Then we may realize that the offender may not really know what he/she has done or that the offense is really not that great or that we may have over-stated the harm done to us.       

More important, God’s grace will remind us of God’s mercy and forgiveness to us for our own many offenses and that God will forgive us as we forgive those who trespass against us.