Monday of the Second Week of Lent
Reading and Reflection
All of today’s readings – the 1st reading, the responsorial psalm and the Gospel according to Luke, deal with the subject of sin, wickedness, evil on the one hand and forgiveness, mercy and compassion on the other.
Meditation: The Golden Rule says to do onto others as you wish they do onto you. It is a good measure by which to live, however, as I understand these readings, the Lord is asking us to do more; that is, to do onto others as the Lord wishes not as we judge they deserve. The Lord has told us in many ways not to judge less we be judged and to forgive and forget as he forgives and forgets our iniquities. He cleansed us of our sins on the Cross but we continue to judge, to hold grudges and seek revenge.
It is not an easy task. Lately we have had several examples in our city of just how hard it is for us to forgive and let go. The murder of innocent lives at the Westroads, at a fast food restaurant and the numbers of senseless killings reported daily in the news distress us greatly. It seems an overwhelming impossibility to forgive those who have done us harm yet that is exactly what we are asked to do. Let us pray for the grace to have the compassion and the mercy our good Lord has shown us. The opening prayer of today’s Mass and parts of the Responsorial Psalm has the message I want to repeat in prayer.
Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins. Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low.
God our Father, teach us to find new life through penance. Keep us from sin, and help us live by your commandment of love. Deliver us and pardonour sins for your name’s sake. Amen. LB
Reminder: Rice Bowls are in the Narthex with great
suggestions for Lenten sacrifices.
