Be Merciful March 5

O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers, for having sinned against you. (Daniel 9:8)

Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name’s sake. (Psalm 79:9)

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

Piety

Universal Peace Prayer

Lord, lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth.

Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust.

Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace.

Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe. Amen. (www.benetvision.org)

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/030507.shtml

During these weeks of Lent perhaps we can listen to or read the Liturgical readings with the ears or eyes of our Catechumens who are preparing to be baptized at the Easter Vigil. Listen, study, as if for the first time. We can learn anew and be renewed.

In the first reading, although the Jews were released from their captivity in Babylon, the author of the book of Daniel uses his current situation, rule by a tyrant Antiochus, to reveal continued sin by the Israelites. He petitions God for clemency: “Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you.” (Dn 9:4) This apocalyptic book prophesies the coming of the kingdom of God and the ultimate deliverance of the Jews. This, in spite of their continual transgresses.

The psalmist seems to foreshadow Jesus’ teaching. Save us because of the glory of your name, (Ps 79:9) not because of anything which we do. Mercy is fundamentally part of the all- encompassing love which is God. Mercy is gift. We, of course, can reject it. Sacred history shows us how well we and our spiritual ancestors reject God’s love and mercy. Sacred history also shows us time and time again that God’s mercy is much bigger and stronger than we who rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws (Dn 9:9-10).

Jesus’ teaching is not a prohibition against recognizing the faults of others but against judging others in a spirit of arrogance while ignoring one's own faults. Like so many of his Words, Jesus goes beyond the Old Testament teaching of “love your neighbor” or “reconcile to your brother before offering sacrifice to God.” Even ancient pagan traditions had lessons similar to the Golden Rule. Jesus tells his listeners to forgive as God forgives. Forgive as did the God who again and again heard the petitions of the Chosen people despite their continued sin. Forgive as did the God who forgave David in his repentance.

For those who can forgive in this way, Jesus promises reward overflowing. What is asked of us is humanly difficult. What is promised is divine abundance.

Action

Choose a couple of words from these readings to be a mantra throughout your day. For example: Be merciful… or … Stop judging … or … may your compassion quickly come to (me) Let these words sink into your heart and soul for your own healing. Let them emanate back to the world, to those you meet, to the situations you read or hear about in the news each and every minute. Try to take 5 minutes here and there throughout the day to ponder these words again and let them fill your being. Contemplate in these short moments: Be merciful, seek mercy, give mercy.