Word to the Wise
Monday, March 6, 2023 - 2nd Week of Lent - Mon
[Dan 9:4b-10 and Luke 6:36-38]"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]
One of the phrases I often use in the Sacrament of Reconciliation is: "Am I living the way I want people to remember me?" The words of Jesus from the "Sermon on the Plain" in the Gospel According to Luke form the gospel scripture for today's celebration of the Eucharist. They offer us an opportunity to ask that question. Do I want people to remember me as being merciful, forgiving and generous? Even more, do I want God to be merciful, forgiving and generous. If so, Jesus warns us we will have to be merciful, forgiving and generous as well. "For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you." The words of Jesus that follow his prayer in the Gospel According to Matthew come to mind: "If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions." [Matt. 6:14-15]
I think we view Lent as a short-term effort of sacrificing for 40 days, good for this Lent only. The idea of starting something that will extend beyond this season is not on the table. "Conversion" is not the word that springs to our minds. Our personal "legacy" is too far in the future. I'd like to suggest that Lent is a good time to consider that "legacy" and discern just how merciful, forgiving and generous we are. God and neighbor are the ones who will remember how we lived. AMEN