So likewise shall the heavenly Creator do also unto you, if from your hearts you do not forgive everyone who trespasses against you. (Matthew 18: 35)

Today’s reading is the parable of the servant who, when called before his master to account for a debt, threw himself before the master and begged for mercy. The master chose to ignore the debt, but the servant, when he came upon a fellow servant whose debt was but a fraction of his own, refused to give mercy and had the man thrown in prison.

Humans are often like that, refusing to let go of little trespasses, yet begging God to forgive major faults within themselves. This creates a one-sided logic that is not acceptable to God. Forgiveness and mercy toward others are both attributes that serve to define a loving God of our understanding.

The animals around us operate on instinct and mercy and compassion are not a part of that particular attribute. If you don’t believe that, watch two hungry dogs faced with just one bowl of food. Chances are you will see a “me-first, mine, mine” type behavior develop as one tries to keep the food all to himself. I watched one day at the local city park when a small duck found an abandoned french fry. Immediately upon retrieving it, the poor duck was dive-bombed by several seagulls intent on taking the morsel for themselves.

When these attitudes are found within the human community, one can be assured that God is not a big part of that person’s life. The quest for personal gain and survival is strictly an animal trait. When the human creature exhibits compassion and mercy, one can be assured that the Holy Spirit of God is alive and well in that person’s soul.

God of mercy and justice, teach me to be merciful and to exhibit the traits of Godliness in my dealings with others!