GOSPEL READING, MARCH 17, 2014
How can we love those who are unlovable? How can we love those who annoy us and even those who point their finger on us? How can we love those who have wronged us? And yet, what is the weight of loving those who are already lovable, of loving those who do good to us? Christ came for the sinners, not the blameless. He hung out with tax collectors, with Mary Magdalene, with thieves. All of us have sinned. All of us are sinners. Not one of is blameless. I guess in all the very long list of sins we all possibly could commit, being quick to judge is the number one.
I struggle with it. Too many times. It's easier to hate the enemies, it is easier to resent those who have wronged me, it is easier to harbor resentment against those who look down on me. Oftentimes when I am angry, I tell myself, "I don't owe anybody anything." It is easy to feel you are better than the others especially when you do not do what they do. But come to think of it, we all sin in different ways. The other person may be committing adultery, but how is it different from you using the name of the Lord in vain?
Today's Gospel reminds me there is one very important thing that I owe my family, my friends, even my enemies, even complete strangers. I am required to love them. I am required to forgive. I am required to be compassionate.
Reading 1, Daniel 9:4-10
4 I pleaded with Yahweh my God and made this confession: 'O my Lord, God great and to be feared, you keep the covenant and show faithful love towards those who love you and who observe your commandments:
5 we have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly, we have betrayed your commandments and rulings and turned away from them.
6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our chief men, our ancestors and all people of the country.
7 Saving justice, Lord, is yours; we have only the look of shame we wear today, we, the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the whole of Israel, near and far away, in every country to which you have dispersed us because of the treachery we have committed against you.
8 To us, our kings, our chief men and our ancestors, belongs the look of shame, O Yahweh, since we have sinned against you.
10 and have not listened to the voice of Yahweh our God nor followed the laws he has given us through his servants the prophets.
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 79:8, 9, 11, 13
8 Do not count against us the guilt of former generations, in your tenderness come quickly to meet us, for we are utterly weakened;
9 help us, God our Saviour, for the glory of your name; Yahweh, wipe away our sins, rescue us for the sake of your name.
11 May the groans of the captive reach you, by your great strength save those who are condemned to death!
13 And we, your people, the flock that you pasture, will thank you for ever, will recite your praises from age to age.
Gospel, Luke 6:36-38
36 'Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate.
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