26 February 2018 - a people of mercy

Today's Readings (Audio)

Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.

We do judge others. Even though we know we shouldn't we do. Even though it is the one thing which the culture still admires about Christianity we still judge other people. We do it even though we would hate to be thought of as bigots. We don't imagine ourselves that way. And yet every single time we seem to succeed by our own effort, every time we don't acknowledge and thank God for our blessings, we risk judging people who choose not to act well.

The illusion is that there is anything good in us that we do not receive from God. It is the taking of the fruit for ourselves rather than the willingness to receive it from him. The fact of the matter is that apart from his power all of our best efforts still come up short.

Justice, O Lord, is on your side;
we are shamefaced even to this day:
we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem,
and all Israel, near and far,
in all the countries to which you have scattered them
because of their treachery toward you.

When we learn to accept that all righteousness is from God we become thankful whenever it appears in our own lives. When we fail we turn to God for help. We do not judge because we see how without God we are no better than any other person.

Forgive and you will be forgiven.

When we stop judging and start thanking we finally learn to be merciful. We have nothing of our own to which we cling. We are able to selflessly offer ourselves to others.

For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.

The paradox is that this is how we ourselves receive that which truly lasts. It is mercy and righteousness from God which themselves are the gifts that matter most.

Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.

So let us look to the LORD for help. Without him our best efforts are tainted. But he delights to show us his mercy. As we receive it, let us consciously recognize it and be thankful so that we can truly be transformed into a people of mercy.

Let the prisoners' sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.