Fool Me Once

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Matthew 18:21-35

Forgiveness runs contrary to conventional wisdom. The old adage is “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” We are often willing to allow people a second chance, but we never forget the hurt they caused. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells Peter he is to forgive “seventy times seven”, or “seventy-seven times”, depending on the version of scripture being read. Regardless, Jesus’ approach is far more radical than giving people a second chance. He advocates a forgiveness that is so encompassing and so dynamic, it forgets any prior hurts and continually restores the relationship. There are those who would say such forgiveness is unhealthy; that we need boundaries and protection. Jesus reminds us of our own forgiveness, and essentially says, “The forgiven forgive.”

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Matthew 18:21-35

Forgiveness runs contrary to conventional wisdom. The old adage is “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” We are often willing to allow people a second chance, but we never forget the hurt they caused. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells Peter he is to forgive “seventy times seven”, or “seventy-seven times”, depending on the version of scripture being read. Regardless, Jesus’ approach is far more radical than giving people a second chance. He advocates a forgiveness that is so encompassing and so dynamic, it forgets any prior hurts and continually restores the relationship. There are those who would say such forgiveness is unhealthy; that we need boundaries and protection. Jesus reminds us of our own forgiveness, and essentially says, “The forgiven forgive.”

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