9 March 2020 - the measure with which you measure

Today's Readings

(Audio)

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

We pray that the Father forgives us as we forgive others. We see that the measure that we measure is measured back to us. We doubtlessly imagine ourselves to be merciful people. But are we? Or are we just comfortable and unchallenged people who aren't often called upon to show mercy? We hear about and admire the Amish who forgave the school shooter. Yet do we even forgive someone who cut us off in traffic, who jumped in front of us in line at the store?

Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.

We should be quick to show mercy. We should take concrete action (perhaps a quick prayer) to bless those who upset us at the first moment we realize what is happening. To the degree that we do, we become more merciful. To the degree that we don't, unforgiveness finds a foothold in our souls. If it is allowed to fester long enough it becomes a stronghold.

Our mercy should extend beyond whether or not we countenance specific actions of other people. It must even extend to how we think of them.

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

We must not even entertain critical and negative thoughts about others. Such thoughts may come, but we take them captive and focus instead on "whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy" (see Philippians 4:8).

The law of the Kingdom is that we reap what we sow. If we want judgment and criticism and unforgiveness, acting in those ways is the most surefire way to receive them. If we want instead love and forgiveness, if we want good things and blessings, these are the things we must be active in offering to others.

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

We don't earn gifts by giving gifts. What we give in the first place is made possible by grace. And what we receive in return is more than we can ask or imagine.

Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.