Gospel: Luke 6:27-38
Jesus said to his disciples:
“To you who hear I say, love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
To the person who strikes you on one cheek,
offer the other one as well,
and from the person who takes your cloak,
do not withhold even your tunic.
Give to everyone who asks of you,
and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
For if you love those who love you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do the same.
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners,
and get back the same amount.
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great
and you will be children of the Most High,
for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as also 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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is Maddy’s intentions.
Reflection:
“Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.” I remember these words especially during the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Deacon Martyn Swaby would say these during the Dismissal part of the Mass. And as we leave through the central aisle of Our Lady’s Church, one could not fail to read these words before passing through the door leading to the narthex. How is to be merciful like the Father? Jesus, in today’s Gospel, tells us how: loving enemies, being tolerant of others, being non-judgemental, and forgiving those who sinned against us. Easier said than done, right? Indeed, this is a daily challenge for us. Being a Christian goes beyond the legalistic mindset of the scribes and Pharisees. Being Christian goes beyond the rituals of our religion. Being Christian means loving everyone, even the unlovable. Being Christian means mirroring the Father’s mercy.
- Which is more important to you: your neighbour’s faults or their virtues? Why or why not?
- How do you address any obstacles which prevent you from being merciful to others?
- How can you become more merciful like our Merciful Father?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Make our hearts like unto Yours: loving without boundaries. Amen.
Sincerely,
Pietro
