In Mt.18:15-20 we read that a member of the Christian community who persists in behaving in a way which is totally contrary to what the community stands for, namely, to be a witness to the Gospel and builder of the Kingdom, must be expelled. However, that expulsion need not be permanent. Once the offender shows signs of real repentance and reconciliation with the community which has been hurt, he or she is to be accepted back fully. And this is a process which is to be repeated as many times as necessary.

Today, Peter asks Jesus how many times should he forgive. The answer he gets very clearly is that there can be no limit to the number of times. And why? That is shown in the parable which Jesus now gives. It is about the two servants of a king. One of them has a huge debt to his king. He should go to jail until it is all paid. But he begs time to pay and the king actually cancels the debt completely. But then the same servant, who is owed a very small amount by another servant, has that servant thrown into prison. When his fellow-servants complain the king has the first servant thrown into jail till the debt is paid. The lesson is very clear: we have to forgive those who offend us just as many times as we expect God to forgive us. It is not easy but there is no other way.