Because God Forgives, We Should Forgive Others

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

September 14, 2026

in Spritual Growth

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September 13, 2026

Readings: Ecclesiasticus 27:30-28:7
Romans 14:5-12
Matthew 18:21-35

16th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2026 Homily – Abp. Hines

Christ guides and leads us each day on how to live out the life He’s given to us. He also understands our thoughts and choices. He reveals to us our character. But many times, we hear His Word and let it go out the other ear. We’d rather listen to the world. If only we would truly understand His character and His love for us that He was willing to become man like us to redeem us- that He was willing to be one with us. He also made a choice to go through all the persecutions and sufferings so that He would deliver us from all our sins. We were given power and authority, having been created in the image of God before sin entered the world by means of Adam’s disobedience.

In the Gospel today, Peter asks Jesus, “How often do I need to forgive someone?” And Jesus answered, “Seventy times seven. “Christ Himself was the greatest example. Beaten, mocked, ridiculed and having been sent to the Cross, He did not harbor any bitterness or resentment to His offenders. Instead, He forgave them. In fact, the first of His “7 last words” were, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Such profound love He has for man. In Matthew 6:15 it says, “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” More often than not, we ask God to bless us. The reason why we ask God should be that we could show others the love of God by being a blessing to them. There will be times when discipline and correction are needed, yes. But we do this all in love.

Then, Jesus told them about the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant: A king wanted to collect money from his servants. One servant owed the king 10,000 talents (an impossible sum of money, equal to millions of dollars or a lifetime of work). The servant could not pay. He begged the king for time. The king felt pity and canceled the huge debt completely. That same servant left and found a fellow servant who owed him a tiny amount (100 denarii, or about a few months’ or days’ wages). The first servant grabbed him and demanded payment. The second servant begged for patience, but the first servant refused and put him in prison. Other servants saw this and told the king. The angry king called the first servant wicked, put him in jail, and demanded he pay back everything because he failed to show mercy like the king did. This Parable speaks of Christ and the work He has done. It talks about the compassion of God, that He would appoint His own Son to take our place and die on our behalf, in order that we may be forgiven and redeemed. Just like the servant who owed the king 10,000 talents, the king was willing to erase all his debt when he felt compassion on him.

In our own lives, are we making sure we have forgiven those who have offended us? Even churches are fighting against each other. God says He will not forgive us if we do not forgive others in our hearts. Proverbs 24:16 For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times. Psalm 78:36 But they deceived Him with their mouths and lied to Him with their tongues.

God is reminding us again and again that when we fall short, His love for us always prevails, and He is ready to receive us when we fall. When Jesus died and resurrected, He went to hell so that He would redeem the people and set them free. Psalm 103: 3 He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases. Proverbs 23: 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” What are your thoughts? Have you been forgiven? Have you been redeemed? That would depend on how you live your lives.