In Hebrew, the figure of seventy times seven means the same as “always.” Therefore, our Lord did not limit forgiveness to a fixed number but declared that it must be continuous and forever. The parable also clearly shows that we are totally in God’s debt. A talent was the equivalent of six thousand denarii, and a denarius was a working man’s daily wage. Ten thousand talents, an enormous sum, gives us an idea of the immense value attached to the pardon we receive from God. During the preparation of the gifts at the Offertory of the Mass, the priest prays quietly: “With humble spirit and contrite heart, may we be accepted by you, O Lord, and may our sacrifice in your sight this day be pleasing to you, Lord God.” Azariah, in our first reading from Daniel, prayed loudly to the Lord: “But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received…” As we come before the Lord in personal or communal prayer, our disposition and our moral behavior play a significant part in the effectiveness of our dialogue with the Lord. Humility grounds us in the truth of things; contrition opens our hearts to receive the mercy of God. The Gospel parable about the servant who received God’s forgiveness but refused to forgive in return is deeply disturbing. Of course, we are that servant being offered God’s forgiveness. Hopefully, we are not that servant in withholding forgiveness from those who have hurt us in any way. Jesus adds a zinger—our forgiveness of others must be “from the heart.” A famous line from Erich Segal’s 1970 novel Love Story, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry,” is not only bad psychology, but it denies what love is all about. The cousins of love are mercy and forgiveness. Every relationship will have its hurts and bruises. These must be tended to as much as a knife wound. If not, an infection will set in, threatening our spiritual life and the life of the community. A humble spirit and contrite heart dispose us well to live authentically with God and with others.