3. The kingdom  of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And having begun to do so, one who owed him ten thousand talents was presented to him. But since he did not have the means to repay them, his master ordered him, his wife, his children and everything he owned to be sold in order to satisfy the debt. The servant, throwing himself at his feet, begged him, saying, “Lord, have a little patience and I will repay you the full sum.” Then the servant’s master, touched with compassion, allowed him to go and forgave his debt. However, having barely left, the servant met one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii, took him by the throat, and nearly strangling him, said to him, “Pay me what you owe.” His fellow servant threw himself at his feet and begged him, saying, “Have a little patience and I will repay you the full sum.” But the other did not want to listen to him, and upon leaving, had him put in prison to be kept there until he paid him what he owed.

When his other fellow servants saw what had happened, they were extremely upset and informed their master about everything that had occurred. Then, the master had the first servant brought to him and said, “You evil servant, I exempted you from all that you owed me because you begged me. Thus, should not you also have  had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?” And the master, enraged, handed him over to the jailers until he paid everything he owed.

It is thus that my Father who is in heaven will treat you if from the bottom of your heart you do not forgive your brother for the wrongs he has committed against you. (Mt. 18:23-35)