In the first reading the three youths thrown into the fires pray to Yahweh for deliverance.

In today’s Gospel reading we hear Peter asking Jesus, “How many times must I forgive the offenses of my brother or sister? Seven times?” Jesus answers, “No, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Jesus stresses that our forgiveness of others must have no limits. And to illustrate the forgiveness expected of us, Jesus gives the parable of the unmerciful servant, who was forgiven by the king and yet refused to forgive his fellow servant..

We pray in the Lord’s prayer, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We hope we really mean what we say.