9 March 2020
Monday of the Second Week in Lent
“Be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful.” (Lk 6:36)
Mercy is today’s message from the beloved Son to whom we have been told to listen. The Word of God to us is of reconciling love. We sin, and yet the Lord’s abundant grace and mercy is ever offered to us anew. Our bad actions make us bear less likeness to the One in whose image we are made, and yet, the Father sees through all that to recognize us as His own children in His Son. As the Son tells us of the Father’s merciful gaze upon us, we are invited to let his words transform our actions so that we bear more and more resemblance to our merciful Father.
Today, each of us must ask for the grace to be aware of who we are tempted to dismiss and cast away. Who are we tempted to leave unchanged by God’s grace seeking to work through us? Our merciful Father, whose reconciling love has transformed us, wants to touch those relationships as well. Let us ask for that grace: Lord make me merciful as you are merciful!