Doing the Math
Doing the Math
Read casually, what you may not realize about the question Peter asked Jesus in this week’s Gospel reading: “Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me? As many as seven times?”, is that he was being really generous.
The rabbis of the day generally taught that you needed to forgive someone up to three times. After that, you were off the hook because, I mean, you don’t want to be an enabler. So, when Peter offers seven, he’s not lowballing. He likely believes he’s being extravagant. He’s more than doubled the going rate and thrown in a bonus. And so, his question actually seemed to be pushing the outer limits of generosity.
But Jesus’ answer sets an at best, incredibly—and at worst, impossibly—high and costly standard of forgiveness, “Not seven times, Peter. Seventy times seven.” Kind of like, “If you’re doing the math you’re not really forgiving, however generous you may think you’re being.”
Jesus then illustrates with a story wherein forgiveness has no limit, confronting and challenging all of us. Well, at least me.
See you Sunday.
Steve+
Vestry/Leader Retreat—tomorrow, September 12, 9am–3:30pm. We will be working together to discern how God has called us to form our community and to serve our Eastport neighbors well—prayerfully discerning what the Lord might have us give focus and resources to over the next year. Your prayers are coveted.
Second Sunday Sandwiches—Sunday, following worship.
Annual Volunteer Training—Saturday, September 19, or Saturday, September 26 (choose one), 9:00am–11:30am. The first half will cover safety protocols for all adults who serve during the service time, regardless of the team. The second half will be training for individual teams.
Church Workday—October 24, 9:00am–noon (the more who show up, the sooner we’re done!). Our vestry and admin offices are moving to open up a third classroom for Children’s Formation and we need help to move furniture (etc.) to new spaces or an outside dumpster.
Bible Study Fellowship 2026-2027: Romans—The book of Romans speaks to our deepest struggles—doubt, pride, fear, and guilt—and leads us to God’s grace. Written for ordinary people, Romans offers real hope for real life. In this study, discover how the God who saves also transforms, moving us from striving to surrender, from fear to faith, and from guilt to grace. Groups for men, women, and children in person and online. Sign up here.
Weekly:
Youth Formation (ages 10–13)— Sundays, 9:00am, in the Parish Hall.
Around the Table—A prayer time for women, Thursdays, 9:00am, at the Wishart’s. Email Lauren for details.
Morning Prayer—Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:00–8:30am, on Zoom.
Men’s Bible Study—Thursdays, 7:00am, at 1309.
Photo: GVZ42 on Unsplash
