Be Merciful

Luke 6: 36-37

³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

³⁷ “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; ³⁸ give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

 This short passage packs a wallop  How can we, alas poor mortals, be as merciful as our heavenly Father, whose mercy knows no bounds? Yet, Jesus tell us to aim high and try.  A life-long goal, a limitless challenge, a way of life. What would our world be like if everyone strove daily to be merciful.  Gone rancor and revenge, enter compassion and forgiveness. Life in a merciful world would surely be a foretaste of heaven.  We learn mercy by eliminating judgement of others, for where would we be if God judged us without his mercy?  Be merciful, judge not, four words, but a lifetime challenge.  JUST DO IT!

Bro. Rene

God, the greatest gift we can give you is being merciful to our sisters and brothers. In order to forgive, however, we have to let go of the pain we hold. Letting go of those hurts is a hard sacrifice—help us to die to ourselves willingly so that we can live in your mercy. Amen.

  Rev. Vincent Nguyen, C.S.C.