How often must I forgive him? 

“Peter approached Jesus and asked him, ‘Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.’” (Mt 18: 21-22)

We ask the same question when we speak about being a gift of self: “How often must I” be a gift of self? And we are proud because we can count how many times we did it: “As many as seven times.” Our Lord’s answer is difficult: “not seven but seventy-seven times”—which means: always, a limitless forgiveness and mercy and a limitless gift of self, which should be free, creative and joyful. 

“Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart; for I am gracious and merciful.” (Gospel Acclamation)