Daily Reflection – 3/6/2023
Sacred Scripture
Jesus said to his disciples, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Don’t be a judge of others and you will not be judged; do not condemn and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven; give and it will be given to you, and you will receive in your sack good measure, pressed down, full and running over. For the measure you give will be the measure you receive back.” (Luke 6: 36-38)
Reflection
We all know the adage: “What goes round, comes round.” The same image is being taught in today’s scripture passage. Jesus says that what we send into the lives of others will eventually come back into our own lives. When we cast our bread on the water, it eventually comes back to us. If we send out to others kindness, friendless and forgiveness, then we have God’s promise that it will come back to us in kind. If we send hatred, pain and evil, we should expect to receive the same in return. It’s all so clear and stated so simply. “Judge and you will be judged. Condemn and you will be condemned. Pardon and you will be pardoned.”
This doesn’t mean that God will necessarily repay us with our own conduct, but other people very well may.
I was ordained almost 50 years ago and yet I am still puzzled by this flaw in our human nature. I am forever overwhelmed by the love that God has for us. His own Son nailed our sins to the blood stained cross so that we could join Him in eternal life.
Nailed . . . our sins . . . to . . . the blood stained cross . . . so we could join Him.
Does the enormity of that gesture of love overwhelm you? It does me. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, did that so we could receive pardon rather than condemnation, freedom rather than slavery to sin, and healing for the wounds caused by sin, injustice and evil. He offers us freedom to walk in the light of His love and forgiveness, mercy and goodness.
What makes true disciples of Jesus Christ different from those who do not know Jesus Christ ?. It is the gift of grace. Treating others not as they deserve but as God wishes them to be treated – with forbearance, mercy, and loving kindness. God always seeks what is best for each of us and he teaches us to seek the greatest good of others, even those who hate and abuse us. Indeed, our prayer for those who do us ill breaks the power of revenge and releases the power of love to do good in the face of evil.
When we anger, harbor resentment, criticize, slander, act unjustly, there is only one recourse. Stop and look at the cross. Because if you do then you will see your sins and mine. Recognize that your worth to Him is so great that He died for you and me.
He . . . died . . . for you and me. But there is more.
He gives power and grace to those who trust in the magnitude of His love. The very cross of Jesus Christ and His victory over sin can free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge and resentment. Our hearts beat with His love, our Spirit soars because of the freedom His Love brings and our human nature can be healed by walking in His love and being a blessing to all.
Prayer of The Day
“Lord Jesus, your love brings freedom, pardon, and joy. Transform my heart with your love that nothing may make me lose my temper, ruffle my peace, take away my joy, or make me bitter towards anyone.”
Daily Note
God seeks our highest good and teaches us to seek the greatest good of others, even those who hate and abuse us. Our love for others, even those who are ungrateful and selfish towards us, must be marked by the same kindness and mercy which God has shown to us. It is easier to show kindness and mercy when we can expect to benefit from doing so. How much harder when we can expect nothing in return.
