Monday of the Second Week of Lent
(Daniel 9:4b-10; Luke 6:36-38)
Facing a rule that interferes with their designs, workers
with a kind-hearted supervisor are tempted to violate the rule. They may rationalize their transgression saying,
“It is easier to get forgiveness that permission.” Perhaps it is true, but still it is
dishonorable to presume a supervisor’s mercy.
In today’s gospel Jesus extols the virtue of mercy. He calls it God-like and then describes it as
non- judging, forgiving, generous and productive. However, he never says that mercy should be presumed. To the contrary, he indicates that it should
be initiated.
Lent should render us more merciful. It gives us occasion to recall our sins like
Daniel does in the first reading. Conscious
of how easy falling into sin is, we should be more willing to forgive those who
offend us.
