Reflection for March 2 Monday of the Second Week of Lent: Luke 6:36-38

Gospel: Luke 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."

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Reflection:

Are we merciful, forgiving, and not quick to judge?

Jesus gives us precious lessons about being merciful because He Himself is always merciful to us. No matter how sinful we are, His unfathomable mercy is always before us, patiently waiting for us to return to Him. Each day, we continue to experience His compassion and understanding, even when we fall short of His will.

Jesus also teaches us about being judgmental. We are not to judge because we, too, will be judged. In hindsight, who are we to judge our fellow human beings? We are but a speck in this world, and we are sinners as well in need of God’s mercy. Do we judge because we are wealthier, more educated, or more powerful than others? Before God, we are all equal and dependent on His grace.

Jesus tells us not to condemn. Instead of condemning, why not encourage and become instruments of healing and conversion? We may not always realize it, but our words are powerful. When we are quick to condemn, we may push those we judge to the brink of discouragement or desperation, and the result may be painful and tragic. But when we speak with kindness and understanding, we can become channels of God’s love and mercy.

On forgiveness, Jesus teaches us to always be forgiving. Why is it that some of us find it difficult to forgive? Perhaps the love of Jesus has not yet fully taken root in our hearts. When we refuse to forgive, we only burden ourselves with unnecessary pain. Forgiveness frees not only the person who wronged us but also our own hearts. Let us learn to let go of anger and resentment. Let us forgive sincerely and entrust everything to our merciful God.

On giving, Jesus teaches us to give from our hearts and not merely from our excess, for many of us give only what we no longer need. True giving comes from love and generosity. When we give sincerely and freely, God blesses us in ways beyond our understanding, and what we give returns to us a hundredfold.

Let us reflect on these priceless lessons from Jesus — mercy instead of judgment, encouragement instead of condemnation, forgiveness instead of resentment, and generosity instead of indifference.

As recipients of God’s unfailing mercy, are we willing to become instruments of His mercy by choosing to forgive, to refrain from judging, and to give from our hearts today? — Marino J. Dasmarinas