Monday of the Second Week of Lent
(Daniel 9:4b-10; Luke 6:36-38)
It is said that a cynic is someone who has given up but
has not shut up. The number of such
people seems to continually grow. They troll
Internet postings and follow one of the notoriously slanted news stations. Their opinion is often directed ad hominem – that is, more to personal
characteristics than to ideas. In today’s
gospel Jesus commands his followers to avoid such behavior.
Luke’s gospel mercy emphasizes God’s mercy quality. At its beginning Zacharias praises God for the
“tender mercies” to be showered on the people when the Savior is born. In today’s passage Jesus tells his disciples
to be as merciful as their heavenly Father.
Mercy means slow to judge and ready to forgive. It provides others the same kind of
understanding that most people have for themselves.
Since we live in a socially polluted atmosphere, we need
to take special care. Finding an
objective news source and reading responsible commentators will help avoid the
dual traps of cynicism and condemnation.
Analyzing the ideas without judging the individuals who hold them will
sharpen our intellects while avoiding needless criticism of individuals. But most of all we have to strive to be
kinder and gentler in what we say.
