Today’s lesson is all about mercy. The responsorial psalm says “Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.”
The act of mercy necessitates two major requirements. One would be to ask for it, in a humble and contrite way, as the prophet Daniel did in the first reading. He humbly admitted “we have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.” He continues by admitting, “O Lord, we are shamefaced …, for having sinned against you.”
It is not enough to know that you did wrong and expect mercy. You have to go, hat in hand as it were, to the Lord, and ask for forgiveness.
Too Much Pride
Oftentimes, we have too much pride to admit, in sincere humility, our failings. I think it is actually easier to admit to God in our minds than to admit out loud to our fellow human beings, or even to the priest in the confessional. It requires strength to tamp down the pride within each of us and admit we are sorry; that we did wrong.
However, upon admitting our sorrow for sin, it is very cathartic and freeing. The burden of sin is no longer with us. We have been forgiven and can start over.
Do Onto Others
Secondly, as we desire mercy, so also, we should dispense it to others who seek it from us. We all remember the story of the wicked servant who pleaded with his master for extra time to pay back his loan, and his master, a kind and forgiving man, went above and beyond, writing off the entire debt. However, the servant subsequently came across a fellow acquaintance who owed him a much smaller amount, and who similarly begged for extra time to come up with the money due but was not shown any mercy whatsoever. On the contrary, he was beaten and sent to jail for failing to pay on time.
In the Gospel of today, Jesus said to his disciples, and thus to us.
“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.
For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
This teaching is as clear as day and requires no further explanation. If you have not already decided on what to do for Lent, the above would be a good directive in order to cleanse our hearts and minds and be ready for the Easter celebration.
