March 14th

March 14, 2023
Tuesday of the 3 rd Week of Lent
Readings: Dn 3:25, 34-43/Mt 18:21-35 (238)
Julian Ohizu: Campus Minister

Mercy, Stewardship and Accountability

In the first reading from the book of the prophet Daniel, the prayer of
Azariah is presented as he asks for mercy from the Lord on behalf of the
people of Israel. The prayer of Azariah is a supplication of the people
seeking mercy from the Lord. “Do not take away your mercy from us, for
the sake of Abraham, your beloved, Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy
one.” The responsorial psalm picks up that same theme of mercy. The
Psalmist recognizes that Compassion, kindness, goodness, uprightness and
mercy are characteristic of God. In the Gospel, we see Jesus use the quest
Peter presents to teach us how forgiveness, accountability and stewardship
are part of the life of discipleship.
When Peter suggests that we can forgive others up to seven times,
Jesus immediately shot down the proposal and urges him to forgive as
many as seventy-seven times. That means forgiveness should be unlimited
because our Father who is portrayed in the responsorial Psalm and the first
reading does not limit the number of times that He forgives us.
Then Jesus goes on to tell the parable of a king who forgives. Most
Bible editions call it the parable of the unforgiving servants. However, for
the purpose of this reflection, let us focus on the king. The entire readings
for today sees God as such. God is a just but merciful king. He knows
exactly what accountability means. Accountability for God means that
each man and woman must give accounting to his or her actions, that
anyone who owes something must necessarily pay it. Yet, His mercy is
overflowing. When one of His servants fell on his knees to beg for mercy,
the king relented and gave the servant another chance. Unfortunately, the
servant was not as merciful as the king.
This Gospel passages is a reminder that in whatever place or
situation we find ourselves, that one day, we will give account of our

actions. Those who find themselves in positions of authority should
remember that our appointment to such positions is not an end in itself. In
fact, this Gospel today is a reminder that no human authority is absolute.
God is the only being who possesses absolute authority. What that means
is that one day, in one way or another, whether in this life or in the next,
we shall give account to the way we uses the resources God give us to serve
him and others in the world. We shall be asked to give an account of how
our authority is discharged on earth.
The Gospel reading is calling us to be like the king. Every debt must
be paid yet it is imperative to be merciful and give others a chance. Jesus
has emphasized at the last verse: just as our heavenly Father is merciful
and forgiving, let us go forth and do the same to others.