Reflection
Daniel 9:4-10
Psalm 79
Luke 6:36-38
Boy, today’s gospel is one of those that gets so very misunderstood, often with the statement: “I am I loving as Jesus loved.” Ugh. Problem is folks tend to skip right over that first verse: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Mercy is not saying we can do whatever we like, as long as we are doing what makes us happy. That is not being merciful as the Father is merciful. The Father’s mercy is a mercy that brings us closer to Him. He wants us close to Him for eternity, and we do that by living as Jesus has instructed.
Jesus instructs us to forgive…He does not say let people do anything they like. We are called to judge actions, not people. Jesus makes that point over and over. It was not ok for the Pharisees to declare sinners and they should be disenfranchised. It was not ok for the people to stone the woman caught in adultery. In each case, Jesus separates the sin from the sinner.
And Jesus makes us a promise – when we live by focusing on lifting others up, helping them be the version of themselves that God wants for them, when we let people know how deeply they are loved, we will receive in return gifts more than we can ever imagine.
We see in the news every day how people do not want to forgive. We see how it is infecting our communities at every level. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THAT MADNESS!!! The nasty attitude that exists on every side of today’s issues is walking right into the hands of satan.
And so, who do you need to forgive?
It truly is a beautiful day! Go smile at God today!