First Reading

Reading from the prophecy of Ezekiel

Ezekiel 12, 1-12

The Lord spoke to me and said: “Son of man, you live among a rebellious people: they have eyes to see but do not see, ears to hear but do not hear, because they are a rebellious people.

Now, therefore, son of man, prepare your belongings as one going into exile and go out by day, in the sight of all, to see if they realize that they are a rebellious people. Pack your belongings as one going into exile, by day, in the sight of all, and go out in the evening, in the sight of all, as exiles go out. In the sight of all, make a hole in the wall and go out through it. In the sight of all, carry your belongings on your shoulder and go out in the darkness; cover your face so you cannot see the land, because I have made you a sign for the people of Israel.”

So I did as the Lord had commanded me: by day I prepared my belongings as one going into exile; in the evening I made a hole in the wall with my hands and went out in the darkness, with my belongings on my shoulder, in the sight of all.

The next morning, the Lord spoke to me and said: “Son of man, has not the people of Israel, that rebellious people, asked you what you were doing? Then announce to them: ‘This is what the Lord says: These words refer to the prince who is in Jerusalem and to all the people of Israel who live in the city.’ Tell them: ‘I am a sign to you: what I have done, so will be done to you: you will go into captivity in exile, and your prince, with his belongings on his shoulder, will go out in the darkness; they will break through a wall for him to go out, and he will cover his face so he cannot see the land with his eyes.’ ”

Gospel

Reading from the holy gospel according to Saint Matthew

Matthew 18, 21–19, 1

At that time, Peter came to Jesus and asked him: “If my brother offends me, how many times must I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered him: “Not only up to seven, but up to seventy times seven.”

Then Jesus said to them: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. The first one they brought to him owed him many millions. Since he had nothing to pay with, the master ordered that he, his wife, his children, and all his possessions be sold to settle the debt. The servant fell at his feet and begged him, saying: ‘Have patience with me and I will pay you everything.’ The king had pity on that servant, released him, and even forgave him the debt.

But as soon as that servant had gone out, he met one of his companions who owed him a little money. Then he grabbed him by the neck and almost strangled him, saying: ‘Pay me what you owe me.’ The companion knelt down and begged him: ‘Have patience with me and I will pay you everything.’ But the other refused to listen to him; instead, he went and put him in prison until he paid the debt.

When his companions saw what had happened, they were filled with indignation and went to tell the king what had occurred. Then the master called him and said to him: ‘Wicked servant. I forgave you that entire debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your companion, as I had compassion on you?’ And the master, enraged, handed him over to the torturers until he should pay what he owed.

So also will my heavenly Father do to you if each one of you does not forgive your brother from your heart.”

When Jesus had finished speaking, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea on the other side of the Jordan.