Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” In today’s Gospel reading (Luke 6:36-38), we are told how to be merciful “even as your Father is merciful.” We are told that we should not judge or condemn others, but that we should forgive those who trespass against us and give of ourselves if we expect to receive. If we follow this simple rule, Jesus says, “It will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.” Everything we give will be given back to us. All the glory we give to others is also given to God and God returns the glory to us. The model that Jesus presents to us is the exact model of God himself. God is the most merciful and loving and we are commanded to be as merciful and loving to others. During lent, we are called to abandon those things which keep us from becoming like Christ. This means abandoning our judgmental ways and to avoid condemning others. Instead, we are called to give of ourselves even to those people we would judge. This is the ultimate definition of mercy. We are called to be understanding to those who are in error. The love which God expects from us saves us from error. We are called to reject the error but we are never called to condemn the person who may commit the error. If we condemn the person, he loses his dignity as a person. God alone is our judge and that day is coming. While we are on earth, we are only commanded to give, forgive and love our fellow man.

A Simple Prayer Lord God, you are so kind and merciful. Help me to set aside my judgment and condemnation. Help me to forgive my fellow man. Help me to see past his sins as I too am a sinner.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon