H.H. Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly sermon at the Wednesday meeting this evening from St Anthony’s Church at the Papal Residence in the Abbassiya Cathedral. The sermon was broadcast via Christian satellite channels and the online C.O.C. channel of the Church’s Media Center.

His Holiness continued his series “Pairs in the Parables of Christ” and read from Matthew 18:21-35, focusing on the parable of the king who forgives and the servant who does not forgive. He connected this parable to the story of the paralyzed man at Bethesda in John 5, highlighting the harshness of human nature in its most extreme form.

His Holiness explained that the parable presents the theme of mercy, which was lacking among those around the paralyzed man. He elaborated on God’s abundant mercy through different scenes in the parable:

-In the first scene, the parable presents an unbalanced comparison between the king, who humbles himself, shows mercy, and forgives the debt… and the servant, who acts arrogantly, harshly, and refuses to forgive. Similarly, the paralyzed man longed for mercy from those around him: “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me” (John 5:7). Yet, God’s mercy is vast: “The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth” (Psalm 33:5-6).

The same chapter addresses human interactions and forgiveness of others: “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22). The Lord Christ’s response reveals that mercy is limitless.

The concept of accounting in the parable refers to Judgment Day, and the amount of ten thousand talents illustrates the enormity of man’s debt. Man is indebted to God for breaking His commandments, as if it were an unforgivable debt—one that can only be forgiven by God’s mercy.

“Have patience with me, and I will pay you all” (Matthew 18:26). Do we ask God to be patient with us so that we may improve our ways and live according to His commandments? God’s stance toward man is reflected in His love, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness—because that is His nature.

-“Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt” (Matthew 18:27)…”The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
The debt we carry is our sins and transgressions. That is why we turn to God, asking Him to lift them from us and have mercy on us so we become as white as snow.

In the second scene, the parable presents the relationship between the servant and his fellow servant: “But he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt” (Matthew 18:30). We see that when dealing with one another, people often have deaf ears and hardened hearts, while God responds to man even with just a few words he offers.

-“So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved” (Matthew 18:31). Despite the fact that the debt was very small, man still falls into harshness and sin due to negligence and forgetfulness. God looks at the great iniquities committed by man and lifts them from him, yet we focus on minor faults and refuse to forgive one another.

“But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15). God looks at the measure of our forgiveness toward others and grants us mercy according to the same measure.

“So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved” (Matthew 18:31). God hears the sighs of humanity when faced with the cruelty of others. When a person falls into harshness, conflict, and stubbornness, they forget that God is able to have mercy on them: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

“Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” (Matthew 18:33). God reproaches man because, through his actions, he distances himself from God’s grace.

His Holiness posed a question: Where do we stand in relation to this mercy?
1- We must remember every day how God shows us mercy, forgives us, and covers our faults.
2- We must remember that if we forgive, we will be forgiven; but if we do not forgive, we will lose the Kingdom. The cry of the sick man at Bethesda is a powerful one: “I have no man” (John 5:7). The choice is in our hands.

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