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September 13, 2026

Transformed by God

Paola Barrera   |   Read Matthew 18:21-35

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Lectionary Week
September 7–13, 2026
Scripture Overview

This week’s readings trace how God transforms us. In Exodus, through the rescue mission that moved heaven and earth, God freed the people of Israel from slavery and bestowed on them a new identity. The psalm echoes the supernatural events that took place during that rescue and issues a stunning declaration whereby a people who had no homeland become God’s chosen place of dwelling. The passage from Romans illustrates how the change of status before God leads to an internal transformation, which in turn changes how we see others and ourselves. Finally, in Matthew, a parable outlines the root of forgiveness to show the weight of God’s transformation and invites us to model God’s grace.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Exodus 14:19-31. What events mark a before and after in your life? How did God show up, and how are you different because of it?
Read Psalm 114. What story do you tell yourself and others about who you are? How has knowing God changed your story?
Read Romans 14:1-12. In what ways has God’s accepting you changed how you accept others? How has God recalibrated how you measure yourself and others?
Read Matthew 18:21-35. When have you found it hardest to forgive someone? What has God forgiven you that changed the way you forgive others?

Respond by posting a prayer.

Matthew 18:21-35

21 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Should I forgive as many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said, “Not just seven times, but rather as many as seventy-seven times. 23 Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle accounts, they brought to him a servant who owed him ten thousand bags of gold. 25 Because the servant didn’t have enough to pay it back, the master ordered that he should be sold, along with his wife and children and everything he had, and that the proceeds should be used as payment. 26 But the servant fell down, kneeled before him, and said, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I’ll pay you back.’ 27 The master had compassion on that servant, released him, and forgave the loan. 28 “When that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred coins. He grabbed him around the throat and said, ‘Pay me back what you owe me.’ 29 “Then his fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I’ll pay you back.’ 30 But he refused. Instead, he threw him into prison until he paid back his debt. 31 “When his fellow servants saw what happened, they were deeply offended. They came and told their master all that happened. 32 His master called the first servant and said, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you appealed to me. 33 Shouldn’t you also have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 His master was furious and handed him over to the guard responsible for punishing prisoners, until he had paid the whole debt. 35 “My heavenly Father will also do the same to you if you don’t forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

How awkward it must have been for Peter to get a lengthy answer to his simple question. He asked for a number. In return Jesus gave him a piercing illustration with impossible implications. It is overwhelming to try to consider the vastness of the debt. But the answer to Peter’s...

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Lord, show me how to live forgiven every day. Let my life tell the story of who I am. Help me join your transformative work in and around me. Amen.


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