Cheesefare, Forgiveness Sunday
February 19
The Sunday before Lent on which we commemorate the casting out of Adam from Paradise
Chrysostom on Matthew 6:14-21
One way which leads to salvation is not to remember offences, no matter how much or how often our brethren and neighbours sin against us. Concerning this non-remembrance of evil, the good and the blameless Lord has laid down a law and charged us that for our forgiveness of transgressions which our brethren
commit against us the Lord will also forgive us the sins which we commit against Him in every day and hour. The Lord always commands brotherly love and pure charity towards all; here, wishing to plant in our hearts a desire for this love. He teaches us and asks us not to remember evil in any way, not to offend
others or quarrel with them. For the root of everything good is love; all that is inimical to love or destructive of it the Lord rejects and excludes.
From John Chrysostom, The Gospel Commentary, translated from Slavonic into English by Abbot German Ciuba (Church of the Nativity of Christ, Old Rite, Erie, Pa.)
Blessed Theophylact on Matthew 6:14-21
He shows how unprofitable earthly treasure is: moth and corruption consume food and clothing, and thieves steal gold and silver. And then, so that no one should say to Him that not all treasure is stolen, Jesus says, even if nothing is lost in this manner, are you not wretched for being nailed down by your
worries over wealth?
From Blessed Theophylact, The Explanation of the Holy Gospel According to Matthew, Chrysostom Press, 2007