Gospel Lk 6:36-38

Jesus said to his disciples:
“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;
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.”

Reflection

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.”

Anger, bitterness, resentfulness, jealousy and vengefulness: these are the emotions that imprison us in a cage of our own making. When we cling to and massage real or imagined slights or offenses, we punish ourselves.

In misery we pray, “O’Lord where can I find peace of heart and mind?”
Jesus gives us the answer in today’s gospel.

“Forgive and you will be forgiven.
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.”

When we look within ourselves through honest “self” examination, we are set free from the self-centeredness which holds us captive.

Mercy, forgiveness and peace of mind are the rewards of self-reflection.

“He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven.” George Herbert