Trinity 15_2026

Readings:

• Romans 14.1-12
• Matthew 18.21-35

Sermon:

As I began to read this Sunday’s Gospel reading in preparation for offering you some reflection, my mind began to fill with remembrances of a news item a few years back regarding forgiveness. The story captured my imagination then in such a powerful way that as I began to read Matthew’s gospel all the details leapt out into my conscious mind.

Putting it simply the news item was of a young driver who had been drinking and due to reckless driving managed to kill the much beloved son of a happily married couple. The driver was sent to prison and, after a while, agreed to meet with the mother and father of the boy who he had killed. A new relationship between the three of them was born out of many hours of costly sharing and struggle, so much so, that a new bond of respect and affection slowly developed between them which began to slowly transform the lives of all those involved. Putting it as simply as we can the young driver involved owned the pain and suffering that he had caused and the parents of the boy killed began to see just how much he had craved their forgiveness. Out of suffering and tragedy came forgiveness and new life.

If someone had killed any of my children through dangerous driving would I be able to forgive them? Would you be able to forgive someone else if you had been seriously hurt by them? What is your response to the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in St. Matthew’s Gospel? Jesus tells his disciples that if they are to really follow him then they too must forgive, however challenging and sacrificial this will be. Yes, if they are to follow their Jesus then they must engage with both the risk and the pain of facing the way that holding on to personal hurt truly damages them, blocking new life and growth in them.

If new life and beginnings are to rise from the ashes of pain and hurt we must all be prepared to take the risk of being willing to forgive. The young man had to let go of the desire to blot out what he had done. He had to meet himself as he really is and pray for forgiveness. The mother and father had to experience his genuine sorrow and take the risk of forgiving him.

In a world where we find it more and more difficult to take any risk this Sunday’s gospel reveals one of the greatest risks of daring to follow Christ. As I think of the pain and suffering we cause to one another at a national, local and personal level, I pray with all my heart that more of us might take the risk taken by the young boy who killed the beloved son of two loving parents.

Questions:

1. Is there a situation in my life which might be totally transformed by my willingness to forgive or be forgiven?
2. What can I do about it?