God our Father, teach us to find new life through penance. Keep us from sin,
and help us live by your commandment of love. Amen.
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.”
We were reminded on Ash Wednesday that we were dust and to dust we will return. We are only on this earth a short time. How will we use that time? For many of us it is working from deadline to deadline. There is so much to be done. This time of year we become tired. Even the weather contributes to a mild depression. Many of us are ready for winter to end. The days are still short and often grey. We spend a lot of our time indoors. Colds and flu circulate through the population. We focus on the shortcomings of our environment. We can easily become critical. In close quarters, it is easy to notice the faults of others. In our society it is politically incorrect to judge. Nevertheless criticism and cynicism are widespread. We become the people Jesus warns us not to be in the Gospel. The Lenten Gospels present Jesus in his season of challenge. May we dwell a moment or more on His challenges and re-commit ourselves to listen more attentively to His words.
My prayer today is for the insight to recognize the places where my efforts can make a difference. I pray for the strength and will to use these opportunities wisely. I pray for hope and patience to endure. I pray for the grace to once again appreciate the world as a gift. Amen.
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