How often must I forgive?

Matthew 18, the Gospel this week responds to Peter’s question of how many times to forgive. Peter was generous in his rhetorical answer of 7. The number 7 was after all the considered the number for perfection or holiness. Jesus reminds him that in the new covenant the answer is not just Holiness, but beyond holiness without end.

We have just passed the 7th anniversary of 9/11. The painful memories are still with us. In the midst of these memories we are also asked to wrestle with this Gospel text for this week. What does it mean looking back, to forgive beyond holiness without end, and in light of the saber rattling remarks regarding Iran and Russia, what does it mean looking forward?

The Gospel is not just for Church.