From the responsorial psalm: “Help us, O God our savior, because of the glory of your name; Deliver us and pardon our sins for your name’s sake. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 6:36-38, today’s readings)
“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.”
Jesus teaches the disciples about mercy and judgment. He calls us to be merciful, just as our Father is merciful and emphasizes that we should not judge and condemn others, and in doing so, we will not be judged ourselves. Instead of condemning, he commands us to forgive, and God will forgive us in return. Jesus also teaches us to give generously and that it will be given back to us in good measure. “Give and gifts will be given to you?” But what is there to give when you are on the receiving end of recurrent hurt or continual re-injury? Prayer, the ongoing work of forgiveness, and a firm assertion of mutual dignity ensure that when you give these things, God’s gift of mercy will be yours.
God, show me how to forgive as you forgive me. Guide me to grow in my ability to forgive little hurts but even more in my resolve to forgive others who have hurt me repeatedly but show no acknowledgment of wrongdoing. Help me call to mind throughout the day but especially during Mass that my hurts are not my burden to bear but to lay down on the altar for Jesus Christ your Son to receive. Strengthen my resolve to pray for those I forgive, to keep on the path of forgiveness, and to offer to you the care of their souls. Grant me your wisdom and strength to persevere in forgiveness, trusting in the divine mercy and justice that is yours. Yours, O Lord, are compassion and forgiveness. Saint Patrick, pray for us!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.