Matthew 18:21-35

Let us all remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, `Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, `Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, `You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Reflection:
The lyrics of a popular song entitled “Leaves” sung by Ben and Ben says, “you never really love someone until, you learn to forgive.” Truly there is no love without forgiveness. In the Gospel, Jesus wants us to understand the real meaning of forgiveness. He clearly indicated that forgiveness has no limits or boundaries, no “ifs” and no “whys”. Furthermore, He wants us to share our experiences of forgiveness from Him by being a forgiving person. Are we willing to be forgiving to persons who hurt us badly?

Lasallian Guiding Principle:
LGP states that, “Lasallian education is marked by zeal:  the whole hearted giving of oneself to the service of others, in gratuity and generosity, in creativity and fortitude, in compassion and commitment. The overflowing love from Christ who embraced us despite our sinfulness is the source of our power whenever we serve our needy brothers and sisters. That same love became our founder’s inspiration as he served the poor people during his time. Lasallians today are called to take Christ’s love as a motivation to see others as an opportunity to show acts of generosity. May our simple gestures of giving an inspiration to them to do the same.

Prayer for the Tercentenary of the Founder’s passing to Eternal Life (adapted)
God, our Father and Mother, You love us with endless mercy. You call us to be your sons and daughters.Give us a generous heart. A heart of flesh that “burns within us.” A heart always willing to love. A compassionate heart for those who suffer. A heart where there is a place for all Lasallians around the world. Lord Jesus, You call us to follow you. Give us the courage to live our commitment. Teach us to go beyond our borders. Teach us to discover you in the lowliest. Teach us to look with the eyes of faith. Teach us to share our mission with all Lasallians of the whole world. Holy Spirit, You call us to live with joy. Fill us with your grace to live the values of the Gospel. Fill us with your grace to be active members in your Church. Fill us with your grace so that we may be credible witnesses, together with the entire Lasallian Family, in the midst of our world. Together and by association, we wish to renew our Lasallian commitment, and, in an attitude of thanksgiving, celebrate these 300 years of life. We ask this through Mary’s intercession, Queen and Mother of the Christian Schools. And through the intercession of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, Universal Patron of Christian Educators. Amen.

Let us pray with one Lasallian Heart whose Commitment is to nurture Life. Now, in a very special way, we pray for the complete healing of our Brother Superior General, Br. Bob Schieler FSC.We entrust Him to Your power. Touch him oh Divine Physician with Your healing hands. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Then say 1 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be.

Our Lady of the Star, pray for us.
St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.
St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Value:                           Zeal for Service (Nurturing Service)
Culture Theme:          We commit ourselves to serve the underprivileged
Productivity Theme:  Outreach
ICV WEEK 4:               We ensure customer satisfaction

C.(n.d.). Daily Gospel. Retrieved March 25, 2019, from https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/
DLSU ITS, DLSU STRATCOM, DLSU IRPA. (n.d.). Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family.
Retrieved March 25, 2019, from http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/inside/lasallian-guiding-principles/default.asp

Prepared: Neil Stephen G. Benter, DLSMHSI
through the DLSMHSI Lasallian Mission and Linkages, Lasallian Formation and Social Action

Our Daily Lasallian Reflection and Prayer is DLSMHSI gift to the Lasallian family for the 2019 Celebration
of the Year of Vocation and Tercentenary celebration of the death of our founder SJBDLS.