Gospel: Luke 6:36-38
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.”
Reflection:
"Giving before taking."
Saint Patrick’s autobiography, his Confession, begins “I, Patrick, a sinner.” This chimes with the first reading for today, in which the prophet Daniel admits his own sins and the sins of the people for not listening to God or following his ways. And yet, neither Patrick’s Confession, nor Daniel’s speech are made in despair. They hope in the love of God, a loving mercy which transforms, even, as in the case of the Bishop Patrick, when people rebuked him for his sins and discouraged him in his ministry. Saint Patrick declares that God was patient with his ignorance and led him to the understanding of what was good, and for this Saint Patrick professes that his life has been blessed. As a captive slave in Ireland, Patrick had tended sheep. Then upon his return, Patrick became a shepherd of souls, now freely choosing to be a servant of God. Christ’s words in the Gospel call us to a way of love and generosity, a way which places giving before taking. Pope Francis describes mercy as “to forgive and give” (Misericordiae Vultus, 14). Let’s reflect the mercy we have received from God in the way we deal with others.
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