March 24th, 2017

​Monday of the Second Week of Lent

Gospel Lk 6:36-38

Jesus said to his disciples: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."

Meditation:
Everyone knows the expressions 'karma is a b....', 'what goes around comes around' or 'you reap what you sow'. They all support in some way the lesson that Jesus teaches in today's gospel:

"For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."

This Lent is a time when we need to become more welcoming to the poor, the oppressed and the needy. We need to open our hearts and arms to those who lately have been cast adrift to seek refuge, who are fleeing war, and famine and death; This is a time to have mercy; to forgive; and not to judge. Brother against sister and sister against brother only weakens the family and all suffer.

In the opening address for the Second Vatican Council Pope (now saint) John XXIII said on the nature of the Council "Today, however, Christ's Bride prefers the balm of mercy to the arm of severity." And our current Pope Francis in opening the Year of Mercy said also: "May the balm of mercy reach everyone, both believers and those far away, as a sign that the kingdom of God is already present in our midst."

This is the challenge of Lent. Yet it is necessary for our salvation. Be the balm of mercy. I know I have work to do.
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“The measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."
Peace.