Forgive Not Seven Times, but Seventy Times Seven

answered by The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 18

기원후 1세기(복음서)

🎬 TODAY'S FILM — IT ASKS THIS

The Straight Story (1999)

dir. David Lynch · USA

An old man long estranged from his brother, hearing that the ailing brother is gravely ill, sets out alone on a long road by a slow machine. The grievances and pride of past years remain, yet the awareness that little time is left draws him toward his brother. Is there ever a time too late for reconciliation, or is it simply the work of the one who moves first?

THE QUESTION THE FILM ASKS

Believing there is still plenty of time to reconcile with a sibling, do I keep putting off reaching out first?

THE CLASSIC'S ANSWER · ORIGINAL

I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven

📜 THE CLASSIC'S ANSWER

I say not unto thee, until seven times, but until seventy times seven.

💡 TL;DR

Jesus said to forgive not seven times but seventy times seven.

📝The Classic Answers

Jesus said to forgive not seven times but seventy times seven. This means: stop counting — the moment forgiveness is measured by number, it is no longer forgiveness. Between long-estranged siblings, a tally piles up of who wronged whom first and how much is owed. Yet when age makes clear how little time remains to each other, that tally suddenly becomes pointless. Like the steps of an old man who braves a long road to reach his brother, reconciliation is the work of the one who sets down pride and moves first. I mistakenly think there is plenty of time to postpone reconciliation. Yet the chance to reach out is shorter than we think. I choose to stop counting, and to approach first today.

— ONGO · Curator

🌱Apply It Today

To a long-estranged sibling or close one, stop tallying the reconciliation and reach out first with one short message.

📖 Classic Source: The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 18. Ancient text in the public domain; rendered and interpreted independently by ONGO.
The film is honored as an equal questioner; its plot is rendered only as a universal dilemma. The classic source is an ancient text (Public Domain), and the reflection is 100% original ONGO content.