Thursday, 13th August 2026

I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.
Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,
as I had pity on you?’
Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers
until he should pay back the whole debt.
So will my heavenly Father do to you.
unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

Thank you for all your kind words and prayers! Work can get tough, and mental health can take a toss …

Forgiveness is a virtue I could never really get my mind around, especially because I dislike a specific number of people for all the drama they create in my life at every phase. The childhood bully who ruined my birthday at my own house until my brother found her and pushed her off me; the scheming co-worker who spewed lies about me to everyone in management and ensured I was constantly harassed at work at residency so much that I almost quit with the pressure until my mom decided it wasn’t yet time to quit and pushed me back; and the victimizing junior who just tried to tarnish my reputation at the new workplace…

Yeah, unfortunately I have a terrific memory—I can recollect the exact location of the statements said to me by so-called family and friends, and I can even remember how it made me feel. The above three were not nice! I still have a bit of anxiety and hate when I think of all the places we are.

Forgiveness comes from within and, unfortunately, above 3. I am finding it hard to let go of! Often I realize it’s an excuse for my poor performance while dealing with issues in a mature way.

This week focus on being happy and present and forgiving all the wrongdoers in our own lives—maybe we are hurting someone else—improve our conversation and connection while spreading love ~ and ask for their forgiveness!,

Amen

About the Author

Hello! I’m Dr Analise Maria D’ Mello, (MBBS, MS obgyn, DNB) from the beautiful state of Goa in India. I was born and raised in a Roman Catholic family, learning my prayers, catechism and Catholic values from my parents and grandmothers. I am currently practicing as an obstetrician and gynecologist for 3 years since my residency. I often speak on anti-abortion to college students and married couples, and counsel distressed pregnant women with appropriate medical advice. I am part of the St Luke's Medical Guild of Catholic Doctors in my state providing services in prisons, and Lenten and advent retreats for medical professionals and their families.

Author Archive Page

11 Comments

  2. It’s impossible to forgive such deliberate acts of nastiness in our own strength. We have to ask God to heal our wounds and help us find forgiveness. And I believe just asking His help, even if we can’t feel the forgiveness, is enough.

  3. Limitless Forgiveness
    August 13, 2026
    Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
    Readings for Today

    Saints Pontian, Pope and Hippolytus, Priest, Martyrs—Optional Memorial

    Jesus and Saint Peter, by Jean-Baptiste Capronnier

    Video

    Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21–22

    In the Book of the Prophet Amos, a poetic formula is repeated: “For three crimes of Damascus, and now four—I will not take it back…” (cf. Amos 1). By the time of Jesus, rabbinic tradition had adopted the interpretation of this passage to mean that God forgives three times, but not four and, therefore, so should we: “When a person commits a transgression the first time, he is forgiven; a second time, he is forgiven; a third time, he is forgiven; but the fourth time, he is not forgiven” (Yoma 86b).

    In today’s Gospel, Peter’s question is generous but still rooted in human calculation. His question follows immediately after Jesus teaches about fraternal correction. Peter, taking in this instruction and knowing the rabbinic tradition, more than doubles the expected number of times to forgive, suggesting seven. But Jesus immediately corrects him—not to reject his generosity, but to elevate it: “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.”

    This phrase, “seventy-seven times,” is not a literal number; it signifies that forgiveness must be limitless, reflecting the boundless mercy of God. It is not merely a command to repeat acts of forgiveness, but an invitation to let our hearts be formed by Divine Mercy.

    The parable Jesus tells in response to Peter’s question offers deeper insight into His meaning. It echoes the fifth petition of the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” A king has a servant who owes him a huge amount—an unpayable debt, symbolizing the incalculable weight of our sin before God. When the servant begs for patience, the king goes beyond all expectation: he forgives the entire debt out of compassion. But that same servant, having just received mercy, encounters a fellow servant who owes him only a small amount. Rather than extending the mercy he himself had received, he becomes violent, demanding repayment and imprisoning the man. The king, upon hearing this, is enraged—not merely because of injustice, but because of the servant’s utter failure to mirror the mercy he had been shown. Jesus concludes with a sobering warning: “So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

    Limitless forgiveness is very difficult unless we have a deep and abiding gratitude for the Divine Mercy God has shown us. Our debt before God is incalculable. We could never repay it on our own. Though we might be tempted to think, “I’m a good person,” Scripture reminds us: “All have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Without Jesus taking on our human condition and paying the debt of our sin through His suffering and death, we could not be saved. Grasping this truth and allowing it to penetrate our hearts is essential to living the Christian life.

    Only when we become keenly aware of the mercy God has poured into our lives can we foster true gratitude. And it is that gratitude that must inspire and compel us to offer the same limitless mercy to everyone who sins against us—no exceptions, no conditions. Just as we have been forgiven, so must we forgive, from the heart.

    Reflect today on how deeply you are aware of the mercy God has shown you. Do you take it for granted, or have you allowed it to transform you? Consider especially those you struggle to forgive. Let gratitude for God’s mercy soften your heart. From that softened heart, choose to forgive—not seven times, but seventy-seven times and beyond. In doing so, you will reflect the very heart of God and become a vessel of His saving grace in the world.

    Most merciful Jesus, there is no limit to the love and forgiveness You continuously offer us. We are indebted to You with our very lives. Please give me the grace I need to be truly grateful for Your Divine Mercy and to express that gratitude by showing the same limitless mercy to all. Use me, dear Lord, as a vessel of Your grace and tender care. Jesus, I trust in You.

  7. Analise, you remain in our prayers. Your writing is raw and so relatable. Gary, thank you for your reflection on forgiveness!

  8. I was taught at a very young age “forgiveness is powerful!” And I’ve always tried to not be judgmental. There isn’t a day that goes by where we are not faced with life challenges. We all need to remember we are only human and here for a short time. Our goal is eternal happiness…let us pray “Our Father who art in heaven…!” Peace be with you Analise! 🙏🏼🕊️

  9. Dr Analise, your great memory is both a blessing and a curse. Remembering all the times people have hurt keeps the wound fresh. What helps me, is when those memories come to mind, I try to quickly push them away with a quick prayer to God for healing and a prayer for that person. My prayers for you that you are surrounded by love.

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