Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/600

 cessors) must  exercise  this  power  in  unity  with  Peter  (the  Papal  See), and  in  subjection  to  him.  To  admonish  and  convert  sinners  is  a spiritual  work  of  mercy; but it  should  be  done  without  passion,  and  with  the  pure  intention  of  converting and  saving  the  sinner.  “He  who  causes  a sinner  to  be  converted from  the  error  of  his  ways,  shall  save  his  soul  from  death,  and cover  a multitude  of  sins”  (James  5,  20).

The infinite  mercy  of  God  to  repentant  sinners, and  the  hardness of man  towards  his  neighbour  are  equally  shown  in  the  parable  we have  just  read.

The king  is  God. The servant  who  owed  ten  thousand  talents is the  sinner. Sin being  an  injury  to  the  infinite  Majesty  of  God,  there rests on  the  sinner  the  burden  of  an  infinite  debt,  which  he  can  never pay of  himself,  and  for  which  he  deserves  an  eternal  punishment. If, however, the  sinner  confesses  his  guilt  with  contrition,  and  prays  to God  for  pardon,  Almighty  God,  through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  will remit the  whole  overwhelming  debt  of  his  sin,  as  well  as  its  eternal punishment — but on  the  condition  that  he  will  equally  forgive  those who injure  him.

The second  servant  who  owed  the  first  a hundred  pence  is  one who has  injured  his  fellow-man. In comparison  with  the  offence  against the Majesty  of  God,  any  injury  towards  a fellow-creature  is,  as  far  as the  fellow-creature  is  concerned,  only  a trifle. Now, if  the  injured  man, who is  a sinner  in  the  eyes  of  God,  wishes  to  obtain  from  the  divine mercy pardon  of  his  infinite  debt  of  sin,  it  is  only  fair  and  just  that he should  himself  show  mercy  to  one  who  has  injured  him,  and  forgive what  is  such  a trifling  debt. If he  will  not  do  so,  he  proves himself to  be  unforgiving  and  revengeful;  the  just  (the  angels  and saints)  will  be  filled  with  holy  indignation,  and  accuse  him  before  God; and God  will  not  forgive  him  his  debt,  but  will  thrust  him  into  hell, where he  must  remain  for  ever,  because  he  is  incapable  of  ever  paying his debt.

The fifth  petition  of  the  Our  Father  is  explained  by  this  parable; it being  clearly  shown  that  he  who  does  not  forgive  his  fellow-men “from his  heart”,  cannot  obtain  forgiveness  from  God,  but  will  be  rejected by  Him,  and  banished  for  ever  from  His  Presence.

The debt  of  sin.  This  parable  likewise  shows. that the  guilt  of  sin is inconceivably  great  in  the  eyes  of  God,  because  by  it  His  infinite Majesty is  offended.

Good resolutions.  The  debtor  in  the  parable  made  a resolution  to pay  off  his  debt  if  he  could. So also  we  who  are  sinners  should  make firm resolutions  to  offer  satisfaction  for  our  sins.

The Divinity  of  our  Lord.  His  words:  “My  heavenly  Father” contain a direct  testimony  to  His  own  Divinity.