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Illustration: The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
on stained glass windows in Scots’ Church, Melbourne
Pope Leo’s Angelus Reflection for 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
St Peter’s Square – September 24, 2026
Sunday Gospel (Matthew 18:21-35)
Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talentsand as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.
The servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.
But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me;and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Pope Leo’s Angelus Reflection
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today’s Gospel speaks about forgiveness, a fundamental feature of the Christian life.
Jesus taught and exemplified forgiveness even on the cross.
There he prayed to the Father for his persecutors saying: “Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”.
In today’s passage, Peter asks the Master this very question: “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother when he sins against me?” (Matthew 18:21).
His words reveal a generous heart, as the number seven symbolizes fullness in the Bible, Therefore, “forgiving seven times” means forgiving abundantly.
However, Jesus’ response goes even further: “Not seven times, but seventy times seven”; in other words, beyond all limits, without measure.
To further clarify his point, the Savior tells the parable of a servant who owed his master an enormous debt that was nearly impossible to pay.
Although his own debt was forgiven out of mercy, he did not show the same mercy to one of his fellow servants.
For this he was rebuked and punished severely.
With these words, Jesus reminds us that gifts and forgiveness form the foundation of our existence.
God gives us everything out of pure love, and none of us can claim to respond perfectly to such goodness.
For this reason, gratuitousness — which is the source of our existence — is also the best rule for our life together.
We experience this every day.
Forgiveness is indispensable, and without it, we cannot live in peace.
Sooner or later conflicts, accusations, grudges and acts of vengeance emerge in our hearts and among people.
These acts destroy relationships, divide families and unleash wars.
Only forgiveness can set us free and restore the light, even where human material and moral poverty have darkened the horizon and made the path uncertain.
Like a gentle breeze, forgiveness sweeps away even the thickest cloud until the sun shines once more.
Saint Peter experienced this many times in his life; particularly when he encountered the risen Lord on the shore of the lake after denying and abandoning Jesus during the Passion.
The Lord asked him just one question: “Simon, do you love me?” (John 21:15). the risen Lord on the shore of the lake and heard him ask just one question: “Simon, do you love me?” (John 21:15).
This was accompanied by an invitation, “Follow me!” (v. 19), the same invitation given at their first meeting. It was as if nothing had happened.
This love, which forgives and heals, marked the confirmation of Peter’s mission as the first of the Apostles.
Therefore, let us ask the Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, to help us forgive, even when it is difficult to take the first step, and to courageously and persistently spread the serene and healing light of love that overcomes hatred and disarms all resentment.
