Gospel in Art: To be forgiven, you must forgive

Forgiveness, Sculpted by Svetlana, 2022, © Svetlana / Handmade-home

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 14 March 2023
Matthew 18:21-35

Peter went up to Jesus and said, 'Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?' Jesus answered, 'Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.

'And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants. When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents; but he had no means of paying, so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt. At this, the servant threw himself down at his master's feet. "Give me time" he said "and I will pay the whole sum." And the servant's master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt. Now as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow servant who owed him one hundred denarii; and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him. "Pay what you owe me" he said. His fellow servant fell at his feet and implored him, saying, "Give me time and I will pay you." But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt. His fellow servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him. Then the master sent for him. "You wicked servant," he said "I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?" And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt. And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.'

Reflection on the sculpture

Forgiveness is more than just condoning. Forgiveness is more than just forgetting. Forgiveness is more than just excusing. Forgiveness is more than just minimising our hurt. Forgiveness is more than just suppressing our anger. Forgiveness is more than ignoring a wrongdoing. Forgiveness is more than forgetting… Forgiving our brothers and sisters means that we let go of resentment, giving up any claim to be compensated for the hurt or loss we have suffered, and actively love the person who hurt us.

Nr. 2844 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states it beautifully: 'Forgiveness is a high-point of Christian prayer'. A short, but yet very powerful phrase worth spending a bit of time reflecting on.

Today's artwork is not a photograph but a sculpture using polymer clay, crystals and plants. The artist, Svetlana, makes these sculptures combining nature, chemistry, and fantastical compositions. We see a heart which is hardened. It isn't red, but almost white, stone-white. Titled 'Forgiveness' the sculpture evokes what happens when we forgive: new shoots of growth start rising in our hearts, new things blossom… a new Spring will be upon us.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-18-21-35-2023/