8 March, Saturday — Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Is 58:9-14
Lk 5:27-32

“I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.”

Today’s Gospel about Levi (also known as Matthew) responding to Jesus’s call reminded me of a powerful scene from The Chosen (Season 1 Episode 7).

In the scene, Jesus (played by Jonathan Roumie) looks directly at Matthew and calls him to follow him. Shocked by the unexpected invitation, Matthew hesitates and asks, “Me?” Jesus chuckles and responds warmly, “Yes, you!”

However, the other disciples aren’t pleased. Simon Peter (played by Shahar Isaac) rushes to Jesus and protests, “Do you know what this guy has done?”

“Yes,” Jesus replies, gazing at Matthew with a gentle smile and loving eyes.

Historically, tax collectors were despised by the Jewish people, seen as betrayers who worked for their Roman oppressors. Many Jews perceived the tax collectors as thieves taking their hard-earned income to give to the Roman overlords.

Today, we may not have tax collectors in the same sense. But more importantly, we all have people in our lives whom we struggle to accept or forgive.

I once refused to forgive someone who had deeply hurt me. My former confessor, however, insisted that I forgave my wrongdoer, and he wisely quoted Our Lord’s prayer, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Over time, I came to discover the beauty of forgiveness. Forgiveness is entrusting wrongdoers to God, praying that He softens their hearts and leads them to repentance. Forgiveness is recognising that, despite their faults, they, too, are children of God. And ultimately, forgiveness is remembering that we are all called to unity in heaven.

Brothers and sisters, this Lent, may we choose to spread the light of forgiveness and love to everyone around us.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Brenda Khoo)

Prayer: Dear Jesus, please help us to forgive those who have trespassed against us, and please forgive us for our trespasses. Amen.

Thanksgiving: Thank you for your abundant mercy and love to us, even though we are mere sinners. Amen.