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.
The peace of the Lord be with you.
Today in the Gospel passage, Jesus reminds us of the goodness of God and how we are to be a reflection of that goodness in our lives. Each day God lavishes upon all of us tremendous gifts. We are not meant to keep these gifts entirely to ourselves, but to freely share them with others — as God has shared them with us.
Very often in our world today we hear that there’s not enough to go around; that is not true. It has been said by the Saints, on many occasions, that the excess resources we hold in reserve ultimately belong to the poor and suffering. May God guide us in our use of the resources he provides and help us to have generous hearts.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Readings for Monday, March 1, 2021