It is such a wonderful thing to know that the wellspring of God’s forgiveness never runs dry. Forgiveness is given not only seven times but “seventy-seven times” – there is no limit!

In the Gospel, the person who asked about it is the one who probably needed it the most – Peter. He was considered as the leader of the disciples, the rock where the Church will be built upon. Yet, he denied knowing Jesus three times and was missing at the cross when Jesus died. The person who everyone expects to be there with Jesus had gone missing. Peter might have thought of himself as a total failure. But through the power of forgiveness, Peter was transformed and became the foundation of the Church. He preached about God’s goodness until his death. His life was a testament to the transformational power of love and mercy.

Sadly, the servant in the Gospel responded to his forgiveness differently. When he saw his fellow servant, who owed him a much lesser debt, he had him put in prison. He was unable to pay forward the generous gift he had just received. He did not let mercy transform his heart so as to be gracious to others.

This Lent, we are invited to draw from the wellspring of God’s mercy and be transformed by it. Whenever someone asks our forgiveness, may we remember how God has forgiven us. May we treat our neighbors with the same compassion and love God has treated us. God knows this can be hard. So let us pray, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”