Forgiveness Is a Decision

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Matthew 18:21–35

In this week's homily, Fr Rob Galea reflects on the importance of forgiveness.

Homilies with Fr Rob Galea offers a practical and engaging reflection on the Sunday Gospel, helping you encounter God's Word and apply it to everyday life.

Homilies with Fr Rob Galea is part of the Outside The Chapel Network, a collection of podcasts produced by ICON Ministry.

Discover more podcasts and conversations at outsidethechapel.com.

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This podcast is part of the Outside the Chapel Network, a collection of podcasts produced by Icon Ministry. Discover more podcasts and conversations at outside the chapel.com.

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Welcome to Homilies with Father Rob Gallia, part of the Outside the Chapel Network, a collection of podcasts produced by Icon Ministry. Each week, Father Rob shares a practical and inspiring reflection on the Sunday Gospel, helping you encounter God's word and apply it to everyday life. Here's Father Rob.

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I have a friend of mine who's just lost his grandmother. He's in his 40s. And he's better, he's angry. And I hope, even if he's listening to this homily, I don't mean any harm by it, but it's so sad to see him so angry, to see him so disappointed, to see him in a place of division where his family and friends, they're no longer talking to each other. Why? Because the grandparents didn't leave in the will the money they were expecting. They left more money to one side of the family than to the other. They're angry. They're angry at their grandparents, they're angry at the cousins, they're angry at brothers and sisters. It has caused such division. Now, things like this happen, I know, and maybe this is your story, that you, for example, have found yourself in a place where you're now fighting with brothers and sisters where you thought this would never even be possible. And you're angry. Every time you think of them, you can't believe that they did this to you. But here's the thing: anger, frustration, a lack of forgiveness is not destroying those who you are finding it hard to forgive. It's destroying you. It's causing you anxiety, it's taking away your peace. In other words, these people, even though they might or might not have done something wrong to you, you're letting them still control you. You're giving them a piece of real estate in your brain and they're still controlling you. Now, forgiving doesn't mean that they are going to win. Forgiveness means that you are simply choosing not to let them control you anymore. That you can have freedom, even though people have done something wrong to you. And sometimes it's really something horrific, and it's really something wrong, and you think I will never forgive them. Those are not the words of God. I will never forgive them. That's the words actually of the devil, right? Words of Satan himself. Because God would never say that, I will never forgive. In fact, what Jesus says is that I will forgive you, I have forgiven you. But forgiveness is not an emotion, it's not something you just stop feeling all of a sudden. Forgiveness is a decision where you have to decide to forgive that person a thousand times. A thousand times a thousand times. Jesus says 77 times seven. What it means an eternal number. Every time you think of that person, you have to forgive them. You have to choose to let go. Not for their sake, and yes, you bless them, yes, you try to love them, but also for your sake, for your freedom. Lord, I forgive this person, I choose to love this person. And you pray for them. And every time you think of them, the anger might come back. But then you pray again and again and again, remembering how much mercy and how much love God has shown you. Let go. Let God let God work in your life through your life. Don't let this lack of forgiveness destroy you and separate you from God. Do you know? I'd be as bold to say that you are as close to God as you are to the person you love the least. You are as close to God as the person you love the least. So seek to love. Again, love, not an emotion, but a decision to will the other well, a decision to serve others, even when it's so difficult.

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Thanks for listening to Homilies with Father Rob Gallia, part of the Outside the Chapel Network. If today's reflection encouraged you, we'd love to help you continue the conversation. Visit outside the chapel.com to subscribe to the podcast, explore more shows across the network, and join our free newsletter to receive the latest episodes and updates. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next time.