Our 'debt' to the Father is immeasurable compared to 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 forgive others without limits is to live in grateful awareness of the Father's infinite love and forgiveness we have already received. In another passage, we read that "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 generously forgave all the servant's outstanding 'debt' to him. Nevertheless, it requires an appropriate response.

Under Mosaic law, vengeance was limited - 'an eye for an eye', 'a tooth for a tooth', 'a life for a life'.

Peter asked Jesus if forgiving someone 'seven times' would suffice? But with Jesus, there is no limit to love, forgiveness and mercy - 'seventy times seven times. God's forgiveness is limitless, but only a forgiving spirit can receive forgiveness as the parable teaches us.