March 5, 2024

Daniel 3: 25, 34- 43

3:25	Then Azariah, while standing, prayed in this manner, and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire, he said:

3:34	Do not hand us over forever, we ask you, because of your name, and do not abolish your covenant.
3:35	And do not withdraw your mercy from us, because of Abraham, your beloved, and Isaac, your servant, and Israel, your holy one.
3:36	You have spoken with them, promising that you would multiply their offspring like the stars of heaven and like the sand on the seashore.
3:37	For we, O Lord, are diminished more than all other peoples, and we are brought low throughout all the earth, this day, because of our sins.
3:38	Neither is there, at this time, a leader, or a ruler, or a prophet, nor any holocaust, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place of first fruits, in your eyes,
3:39	so that we may be able to find your mercy. Nevertheless, with a contrite soul and humble spirit, let us be accepted.
3:40	Just as in the holocausts of rams and bullocks, and as in thousands of fat lambs, so let our sacrifice be in your sight this day, in order to please you. For there is no shame for those who trust in you.
3:41	And now we follow you wholeheartedly, and we fear you, and we seek your face.
3:42	Do not put us to shame, but deal with us in agreement with your clemency and according to the multitude of your mercies.
3:43	And rescue us by your wonders and give glory to your name, O Lord.

Matthew 18: 21- 35

18:21	Then Peter, drawing near to him, said: “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Even seven times?”
18:22	Jesus said to him: “I do not say to you, even seven times, but even seventy times seven times.
18:23	Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is compared to a man who was king, who wanted to take account of his servants.
18:24	And when he had begun taking account, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
18:25	But since he did not have any way to repay it, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children, and all that he had, in order to repay it.
18:26	But that servant, falling prostrate, begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay it all to you.’
18:27	Then the lord of that servant, being moved with pity, released him, and he forgave his debt.
18:28	But when that servant departed, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarius. And taking hold of him, he choked him, saying: ‘Repay what you owe.’
18:29	And his fellow servant, falling prostrate, petitioned him, saying: ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay it all to you.’
18:30	But he was not willing. Instead, he went out and had him sent to prison, until he would repay the debt.
18:31	Now his fellow servants, seeing what was done, were greatly saddened, and they went and reported to their lord all that was done.
18:32	Then his lord called him, and he said to him: ‘You wicked servant, I forgave you all your debt, because you pleaded with me.
18:33	Therefore, should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I also had compassion on you?’
18:34	And his lord, being angry, handed him over to the torturers, until he repaid the entire debt.
18:35	So, too, shall my heavenly Father do to you, if each one of you will not forgive his brother from your hearts.”