Universal Utterings
for August 13, 2026
A Godcast
UniversalUtterings.Com
08-13-2026 Matthew 18 v2135/19-1 As I Had Pity On You
The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 18 Verse 21 thru 35
21 Then Peter approaching asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. 23 That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. 25 Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. 26 At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ 27 Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. 28 When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ 29 Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ 30 But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. 31 Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed and went to their master and reported the whole affair. 32 His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. 33 Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ 34 Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. 35 So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.” 1 When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan.
In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant, a powerful narrative that underscores the importance of forgiveness. Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him, suggesting seven times. Jesus responds, not just with a number, but by emphasizing the boundless nature of forgiveness—”seventy times seven.” This teaches us that forgiveness isn’t merely a transaction but a way of life, a reflection of God’s grace toward us.
The parable illustrates a servant who, despite being forgiven a massive debt by his king, refuses to show the same mercy to a fellow servant who owes him a small sum. When the king learns of this hypocrisy, he is filled with wrath and delivers the unforgiving servant to be tortured until he can repay the enormous debt. This story serves as a stark reminder of the consequences that arise when we fail to extend forgiveness to others, whether they are family, friends, or foes.
When we harbor resentment and choose not to forgive, we trap ourselves in a prison of our own making. The emotional and spiritual toll is significant; resentment festers, condemning us to a state of bitterness and spite. This lack of forgiveness can manifest in our well-being, affecting our mental health, relationships, and overall peace.
Ultimately, the call to forgive is a call to freedom. It frees us from the chains of anger and hatred that can weigh heavily on our hearts. To forgive is to reflect the love and mercy that God has shown us. Let us remember that refusing to forgive only leads to our own condemnation. May we endeavor to forgive as we have been forgiven, embracing peace and allowing healing to flow into our lives. Amen.
Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.
At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. Novena Day Five for Mike Carter. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.
I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20
08-13-2026 Matthew 18 v2135/19-1
**As I Had Pity On You**
In a land where mercy flows like streams,
A question arose, woven with dreams,
“Lord, how many times must I forgive,
My brother’s wrongs, if he’s to live?”
Seventy times seven, the answer rang,
A call to grace, where love’s praises sang.
For each heart that falters, each soul that strays,
Forgiveness must flourish, lighting the ways.
A king once summoned a servant so low,
In debts overwhelming, his chances were slow.
Yet when the servant begged and fell to his knees,
The king’s heart softened, his spirit at ease.
“Your debt is forgiven, go free from this day!”
But the servant, encountering a different display,
Found a fellow servant with a fraction of debt,
And seized him in anger, with threats to be met.
“Pay what you owe!” the hard heart did shout,
No mercy extended, no kindness throughout.
His fellow cried out, “Please! Let me be!”
But compassion was absent, no pity to see.
News reached the king of the servant’s cruel act,
He summoned him forth; justice was packed.
“You wicked one, how could you not share,
The mercy I granted, the grace laid bare?”
And so the lesson, in shadows and light,
Forgiveness is given, not meant for the slight.
For in our hearts’ chambers, where grudges still cling,
We find the true joy that forgiveness can bring.
From the depths of our being, the Spirit can mend,
Let love be the balance, where grace knows no end.
So remember, dear souls, as we walk through the strife,
Forgive as you’ve been forgiven — the essence of life. Amen.
© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins
August 13, 2026 @ 04:57 AM EST
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