Readings
I - Dan. 9: 4-10
II - Lk. 6: 36 - 38
FORGIVE AND BE MERCIFUL
A forgiving heart neither condemns not judges but is empathetic and merciful. The two aspects of forgiveness are: one, it is a grace and two, it is conditional. Forgiveness is grace because human beings are fragile and prone to get offended easily. It is the grace of God that empowers one to be empathetic and magnanimous in forgiving the other. Forgiveness is conditional because in his prayer Jesus has taught us: “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. Only in our generous forgiveness can we obtain the forgiveness of God for ourselves.
The self-righteous and the rude, judges, the proud and the arrogant, condemns but the child of God is merciful and forgives. Forgiveness is the predominant quality of Christian living. We have a path set out by our Master Jesus Christ, who forgave even his offenders and the murderers. During this season of lent as we reflect on the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us ask God to give us the courage to tread that path of love, mercy and forgiveness. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the grace to forgive our offenders”.
