Today's Gospel
Luke 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."
Luke 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."
Today's Reflection
Today's Gospel shows us that we are not dealt with according to our sins, but according to how we loved. Christ gave His life for us on the cross so that we may be free from the eternal punishment of sin. It is our responsibility to accept His sacrifice. We do this through repentance, which requires the rejection of sin and the will to do good. It is not so much a matter of how you have sinned in the past, but if you have resolved to sin no more.
What does it look like to live without sin? We are called to love, to be merciful as our Heavenly Father is merciful, not to judge and condemn, but to forgive. We must forgive. We have all been hurt by someone. To forgive is not to be okay with what has happened, but to free the one who has wronged you of their debt, to reaffirm them in love. Do not forget that you must also forgive yourself for the wrongs you have committed. If God has chosen to forgive you, who are you to disagree? We must also give. We are called to share of our time, treasure and talent, not from our excess, but from our first fruits. When we refuse to give, we are unable to receive.
We are to offer to the Lord not only what is good, but also our sins and sufferings. Anything you might be holding on to (regret, addiction, despair, etc.) prohibits you from receiving what the Lord has to offer you (joy, freedom, hope, etc.). Today, surrender all of this to Him and remain united with Him in prayer and your heart will be filled with His great love.
Today's Gospel shows us that we are not dealt with according to our sins, but according to how we loved. Christ gave His life for us on the cross so that we may be free from the eternal punishment of sin. It is our responsibility to accept His sacrifice. We do this through repentance, which requires the rejection of sin and the will to do good. It is not so much a matter of how you have sinned in the past, but if you have resolved to sin no more.
What does it look like to live without sin? We are called to love, to be merciful as our Heavenly Father is merciful, not to judge and condemn, but to forgive. We must forgive. We have all been hurt by someone. To forgive is not to be okay with what has happened, but to free the one who has wronged you of their debt, to reaffirm them in love. Do not forget that you must also forgive yourself for the wrongs you have committed. If God has chosen to forgive you, who are you to disagree? We must also give. We are called to share of our time, treasure and talent, not from our excess, but from our first fruits. When we refuse to give, we are unable to receive.
We are to offer to the Lord not only what is good, but also our sins and sufferings. Anything you might be holding on to (regret, addiction, despair, etc.) prohibits you from receiving what the Lord has to offer you (joy, freedom, hope, etc.). Today, surrender all of this to Him and remain united with Him in prayer and your heart will be filled with His great love.
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