Spiritual Resources

Monday, March 1 2021
2nd Week of Lent
Dan. 9:4-10 Ps. 79(78):8,9,11,13
Lk. 6:36-38  (Ps Wk II)

The Israelites were poised to enter the Promised Land, but God made it clear that it was not because of their righteousness. They had been disobedient and rebellious ever since the Exodus; yet God was committed to the promises made to Israel’s ancestors.

The Israelites were told not to think it was because of their own righteousness but to recognize that God was giving them the land due to the wickedness of the occupying nations as well as God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This gift was not earned but was God’s mercy and faithfulness toward the Israelites. We receive God's blessings for the same reason.

The reading from Luke took place in the context of the Sermon on the Plain. Jesus had just declared the “blessings” and the “woes” and then moved on to tell the people to love their enemies. Summing up this teaching, Jesus told the people to be merciful as God the Father is merciful. How does God show mercy?

Jesus provided the answer when he encouraged the people not to judge and not to condemn but to forgive and continually give. Indeed, this is the way God treated the Israelites — God continually gave in spite of the rebelliousness of the people, and God continually gives us God’s love and grace and mercy as well.

Lord, help me to show mercy and forgiveness to others.