Gospel in Art: Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me?

Jacob Seeking the Forgiveness of Esau, by Jan Victors, 1652 © Indianapolis Museum of Art

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 11 August 2022
Matthew 18:21-19:1

Peter went up to Jesus and said, 'Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?' Jesus answered, 'Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.

'And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants. When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents; but he had no means of paying, so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt. At this, the servant threw himself down at his master's feet. "Give me time" he said "and I will pay the whole sum." And the servant's master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt. Now as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow servant who owed him one hundred denarii; and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him. "Pay what you owe me" he said. His fellow servant fell at his feet and implored him, saying, "Give me time and I will pay you." But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt. His fellow servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him. Then the master sent for him. "You wicked servant," he said "I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?" And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt. And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.'

Jesus had now finished what he wanted to say, and he left Galilee and came into the part of Judaea which is on the far side of the Jordan.

Reflection on the painting

Taken from the book of Genesis, our painting by Jan Victors depicts the moment before the reconciliation of the brothers, Jacob and Esau. Following the biblical text, Jacob has divided the children of his two wives and his handmaids, putting the latter in front. He asks for forgiveness from Esau who, unseen in this painting, advances at the head of four hundred men. The posture of Jacob asking forgiveness is especially well rendered: his right hand is on his heart, his left hand resolutely holds a staff, and his eyes show remorse.

In our Gospel reading today, Peter asks Jesus, 'Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me?' Peter thus recognises that forgiving someone who has wronged us does not come easily or naturally. His question seems to imply that he is trying to calculate the limits of forgiveness.

Jesus responds by telling the disciples that the forgiveness has to be limitless. Telling us to forgive everything and everyone, Jesus thus sets the bar incredibly high for us. But why should we forgive so much? Because forgiveness, given or received, transforms us! To be forgiven by God in confession helps us. For us to forgive friends or colleagues also transforms us as it expands our hearts in generosity and love.

Our Gospel tells us that the more we open ourselves up to the gift of God's limitless forgiveness, the more we will be able to pass on that same forgiveness to others.

LINKS

Christian Art: https://christian.art/
Today's image: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-18-21-191/