Embrace a mercy that knows no bounds

By Klysha Best

Forgiveness without limits. That was the gist of the message delivered by Fr Kizito Ameloko VC as he celebrated Holy Mass Sunday, September 13, for the latest edition of the Laventille Devotions series, the 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time.

Fr Kizito, as he is more commonly known, asked the faithful to rethink their understanding of forgiveness, urging them to embrace a mercy that knows no bounds.

Drawing from the Sunday’s readings, particularly the Gospel’s teaching on forgiveness (Mt 18:21–35), Fr Kizito posed a fundamental question to the congregation: “Who has ever experienced God’s love and His mercy?” He reminded them that their very existence is a testament to God’s compassion. “That we are here is out of God’s mercy, that we live and move and have our way,” he said.

The heart of the homily focused on the difficult command of Jesus to forgive without limit. Fr Kizito recounted the Apostle Peter’s question: “Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother? Seven times?” He explained that Peter, like many of us, was looking for a limit, a point where justified anger could take over. But Jesus’ response, “Seventy-seven times,” was not a literal number, but a call to a different way of being.

“Mercy in its uniqueness…Mercy has no name,” Fr Kizito declared. “It can never be too much to forgive.” He lamented that many people, like Peter, mistakenly believe that some offenses are simply too great for mercy.

To illustrate this, Fr Kizito offered a detailed reflection on the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. He vividly described the immense debt of 10,000 talents owed by the servant, a sum so vast that it was impossible for the servant to repay. However, when the servant begged for patience, the master, moved with compassion, forgave the entire debt.

However, Fr Kizito noted, the same servant then went out and demanded repayment from a fellow servant who owed him a pittance. “How can you want to enjoy God’s mercy when you yourself do not keep mercy?” he asked.

Fr Kizito explained that resentment is a heavy burden. “We don’t like associating ourselves with destitutes,” he said, referring to those who are spiritually and emotionally impoverished by their refusal to forgive. He emphasised that forgiveness is not a feeling, but a decision, and a difficult one at that. “You will never ever find a reason [to forgive],” he stated, “because the offence is real.”

The priest explained that forgiveness is a process. He said that when we forgive, “you open yourself up to God’s mercy and His goodness. You enjoy peace, you enjoy the fullness of God’s love, and you enjoy everlasting life.”

Fr Kizito was assisted in the Mass by Fr Clifford Mainooh CSSp and Deacon Michael Smith. The Mass concluded with a final blessing and a prayer for the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima.

The final Laventille Devotions for 2026 will be held on October 11 with Fr Isaac Umoru CSSp, the main celebrant.