01 March 2010

01 Mar 2010, Monday of the Second Week in Lent

Reading I
Dn 9:4b-10


“Lord, great and awesome God,
you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you
and observe your commandments!
We have sinned, been wicked and done evil;
we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.
We have not obeyed your servants the prophets,
who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes,
our fathers, and all the people of the land.
Justice, O Lord, is on your side;
we are shamefaced even to this day:
we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem,
and all Israel, near and far,
in all the countries to which you have scattered them
because of their treachery toward you.
O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers,
for having sinned against you.
But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!
Yet we rebelled against you
and paid no heed to your command, O LORD, our God,
to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets.”

Gospel
Lk 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.”

Meditation: Luke 6:36-38

Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. (Luke 6:38)


Most toddlers have no trouble learning the meaning of “mine.” They do, however, need to be taught how to share! At first, youngsters may share only if made to by their parents. But as children mature, they begin to get the point that if they want to have any friends at all, they need to be flexible.

Unfortunately, the childish concept of “mine” often lingers into adult life. That’s why Jesus spent so much time teaching and modeling for us another way—a way of selfless giving. In sermon after sermon, Jesus told us that the more we empty ourselves and give to other people, the more room we have to receive the good things that God has in store for us. And his storeroom will never run out, for he is a God of infinite resources!

God’s gifts can range from wisdom, discernment, patience, and evangelization. They can be as practical as helping us handle a mini-crisis in our family or being able to hold on to our faith when inconvenient things happen. If we give God just a bit of room in our hearts, he will respond by pouring immense amounts of grace into us. Take the Eucharist for example: So much is contained there, so many gifts, and we have only to show up to receive it! As St. Thérèse of Lisieux once said: “You must open a little … so that the Bread of Angels may come as divine dew to strengthen you, and to give you all that is wanting to you.”

So look up to heaven today and fix your eyes on the Lord. Watch to see what gifts he pours into your life. Know, too, that the more you use and share those gifts, the more he will give to you. Look around; do you see a need in your family? Your church? Your community? God can help you meet that need by filling what is lacking in you. It’s not about trying hard but about receiving all that he has to offer us.

“Merciful Father, I open my heart and receive all that you generously offer me. Help me be both a giver and a receiver of your goodness.”

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