Monday of the second week of Lent
Daniel 9: 4b-10
Psalms 79: 8, 9, 11, 13
Luke 6: 36-38
The first reading, presents an outcry or rather a prayer which is in form of a public confession for sins the community had done. By rebellion, turning against His commands, the people of God do not offer fitting praise and worship to God who is awesome, merciful and faithful.
Meanwhile, in the gospel, Jesus invites his disciples to “be merciful” as God their Father is merciful. He also places a condition on which they may escape judgment, condemnation and ultimately find forgiveness: “It is in giving that we receive.”
We, as Christians, often demand from others what we do not do. Jesus demands that we be merciful as God our Father. This invitation is also found in the prayer “Our Father”. It seeks to make us lead an authentic life and replaces vengeance with kindness. Our prayer and way of life should demonstrate that we are indeed His children. We, however, should not offer pardon to others as a bribe for our misdeed but rather out of love, resulting from a humble and contrite heart.
Let us pray:
We thank you Lord for your mercy and love. May you make our hearts contrite and merciful. Instill in us the desire to love you and all that is for their own sake. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.