Saturday, March 16, 2013

SATURDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF LENT


Scripture:
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke: 6:36,37

Reflection:
It is so easy to make judgments about people without knowing all the facts. Oh, we need to judge the right from wrong, good behaviors from bad behaviors, sinful actions from those that are not, and whether words are damaging or constructive, etc. If we don't make those kind of "judgments" we might end up approving what God disapproves and then doing those very things ourselves. Those things we judge, but only God is the Judge of people. Of course, I'm not talking about civil judgments, which are necessary for society to run run smoothly and to keep its citizens safe. I'm talking about judging people whether or not we have all the facts, that's God's job. He does have all the facts. When we judge people it puts up a wall that prevents us from loving them as Christ commands us to do. Instead, we are to be merciful, just as the Father is merciful. Always let mercy triumph over judgment.

Prayer:
Lord, may we never seek to justify ourselves by judging others. The world desperately needs to see your mercy. If we, your children, don't reveal it, we conceal it. Forgive us, Lord, for failing to love and serve those you have put in our paths while we were too busy judging them. Have mercy on us; may we have mercy on others. Root out any tendency we might have to be critical or judgmental. In its place sow seeds of forgiveness, understanding and mercy. Amen.

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