Thursday, 19th week in Ordinary time
Ezek 12:1-12; Mt 18:21 - 19:1
We have two interesting parables for our reflection today: the first one is an action parable by Ezekiel, however the director of the act is God; the second one is a parable by Jesus hitting the nail on its head! Though there is nothing common to these two parables per se, if we pay attention to the underlying message they are connected to each other.
What Jesus wants to establish through the parable he narrates is basically the Golden Rule: you wish you would be forgiven every time you make a mistake and if so, what stops you from forgiving the other every time the other makes a mistake! Look at and become aware of the numerous times that you have been forgiven by God - and if you are truly cognizant of this fact in all its dimensions, you would never ever regret to forgive your brother or your sister.
The very fact that you resist forgiving the other is an indication of your haughtiness, your self righteousness and your rebelliousness against the goodness of God that is demanded from you. If your give into this, Ezekiel warns, it would soon be time to pack your bags - time to lose all the goodness that you have received from the Lord, time to fall out of grace, out of an authentic relationship with God.
Become aware of the amount of gratuitous benefits that you have received from the Lord, that actually forms your baggage! If you fail to realise its immensity and the responsibility it places on you, you would soon be required to pack your bags and leave the grace that your are enjoying - BEWARE!