Our 'debt' to the Father is immeasurable in comparison with our neighbour's 'debt' to us. This lesson, that the parable offers us, is of great importance for our Christian life. For, it is in forgiving others that we receive God's forgiveness. The only way to be able to forgive others without limits is to live in grateful awareness of the Father's infinite love and forgiveness we have already received - "her many sins must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love" (Lk. 7:47).

God's grace of forgiveness demands responsibility. It is freely given ... as the king freely and generously forgave all the servant's outstanding 'debt' to him. Nevertheless, it requires an appropriate response. The Old Testament (Gen. 4:24) speaks of the Lamech principle of measureless blood vengeance. There was no limit to hatred and revenge. Under Moses, vengeance was limited to 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life'. Peter, our spokesman, therefore thinks he is generous to be able to forgive 'seven times'. But now under Jesus there is no limit to love, forgiveness and mercy ... 'seventy times seven times'. God's forgiveness to us is unending but only a forgiving spirit, as the parable teaches us, can receive forgiveness.