First Reading

Daniel 3:25, 34-43

25Then Azariah, while standing, prayed in this manner, and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire, he said: 26“Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and your name is praiseworthy and glorious for all ages. 27For you are just in all the things that you have accomplished for us, and all your works are true, and your ways are right, and all your judgments are true. 28For you have made equally true judgments in all the things that you have brought upon us and upon Jerusalem, the holy city of our fathers. For in truth and in judgment, you have brought down all these things because of our sins. 29For we have sinned, and we have committed iniquity in withdrawing from you, and we have offended in all things. 30And we have not listened to your precepts, nor have we observed or done as you have ordered us, so that it might go well with us. 31Therefore, everything that you have brought upon us, and all that you have done for us, you have done in true judgment. 32And you have delivered us into the hands of our enemies: traitors, unjust and most wicked, and to a king, unjust and most wicked, even more so than all others on earth. 33And now we are not able to open our mouths. We have become a shame and a disgrace to your servants and to those who worship you. 34Do not hand us over forever, we ask you, because of your name, and do not abolish your covenant. 35And do not withdraw your mercy from us, because of Abraham, your beloved, and Isaac, your servant, and Israel, your holy one. 36You have spoken with them, promising that you would multiply their offspring like the stars of heaven and like the sand on the seashore. 37For we, O Lord, are diminished more than all other peoples, and we are brought low throughout all the earth, this day, because of our sins. 38Neither is there, at this time, a leader, or a ruler, or a prophet, nor any holocaust, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place of first fruits, in your eyes, 39so that we may be able to find your mercy. Nevertheless, with a contrite soul and humble spirit, let us be accepted. 40Just as in the holocausts of rams and bullocks, and as in thousands of fat lambs, so let our sacrifice be in your sight this day, in order to please you. For there is no shame for those who trust in you. 41And now we follow you wholeheartedly, and we fear you, and we seek your face. 42Do not put us to shame, but deal with us in agreement with your clemency and according to the multitude of your mercies. 43And rescue us by your wonders and give glory to your name, O Lord.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 24

4May all those who act unjustly over nothing be confounded. O Lord, demonstrate your ways to me, and teach me your paths. 5Direct me in your truth, and teach me. For you are God, my Savior, and I remain with you all day long. 6O Lord, remember your compassion and your mercies, which are from ages past. 7Do not remember the offenses of my youth and my ignorances. Remember me according to your mercy, because of your goodness, O Lord. 8The Lord is sweet and righteous. Because of this, he will grant a law to those who fall short in the way. 9He will direct the mild in judgment. He will teach the meek his ways.

Gospel

Matthew 18:21-35

21Then Peter, drawing near to him, said: “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Even seven times?” 22Jesus said to him: “I do not say to you, even seven times, but even seventy times seven times. 23Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is compared to a man who was king, who wanted to take account of his servants. 24And when he had begun taking account, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25But since he did not have any way to repay it, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children, and all that he had, in order to repay it. 26But that servant, falling prostrate, begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay it all to you.’ 27Then the lord of that servant, being moved with pity, released him, and he forgave his debt. 28But when that servant departed, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarius. And taking hold of him, he choked him, saying: ‘Repay what you owe.’ 29And his fellow servant, falling prostrate, petitioned him, saying: ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay it all to you.’ 30But he was not willing. Instead, he went out and had him sent to prison, until he would repay the debt. 31Now his fellow servants, seeing what was done, were greatly saddened, and they went and reported to their lord all that was done. 32Then his lord called him, and he said to him: ‘You wicked servant, I forgave you all your debt, because you pleaded with me. 33Therefore, should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I also had compassion on you?’ 34And his lord, being angry, handed him over to the torturers, until he repaid the entire debt. 35So, too, shall my heavenly Father do to you, if each one of you will not forgive his brother from your hearts.”