REFLECTIONS TODAY

After teaching love of enemies to the great multitudes on his Sermon on the Plain, Jesus proceeds to exhort them on treating others with kindness. They should not withhold their love to them. Jesus gives them an incentive. The favors given to others will be given back in return. For Jesus, giving is not just giving for the sake of giving. Giving must be impressive. God knows that we have been gifted much. As we are stewards of God’s gifts, let us allow those gifts to flow to others.
Giving is also showing mercy, in imitation of the Father. Giving is showing kindness to others, not judgment. Lastly, we should be generous in affirming the giftedness of others. Blessed are we if we do this.
First Reading • Daniel 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 • Luke 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.”
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected].