Be merciful, just as also your father is merciful

The attitude of God should overflow to Jesus’ followers, who imitate their master’s behavior. Jesus is the face of the merciful Father. And the Father’s benevolent love surpasses the common notion of love, that is, mutual reciprocity — “I give, therefore you give.” The Father’s love is shown in Jesus’ overflowing, magnanimous, and even condescending love; this same love must be the trademark of Christians, too. Jesus’ universal love extends to the poor and the rich alike, to the just and the unjust, to the saints and the sinners. The overreaching love of Jesus is even for his enemies.

Gospel • LUKE 6:27-38

Jesus said to His disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also 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 2020,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.