Monday of the Second Week in Lent

Today's Readings

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."        - Luke 6:36-38

The gospel tells us of Jesus' extremely essential message to not only His disciples but to all followers and believers like ourselves. It reminds me of a well-known saying that I am sure many people are familiar with. That is what we refer to as the golden rule from Luke 6:31. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," the verse says. Simply put, treat others as you would like to be treated.

Moreover, Jesus reminds us of the traits and actions we should and should not exhibit. First and foremost, we must be merciful. For instance, Jesus is selfless and demonstrated sacrificial mercy by dying on the cross for our sins. He saved us through His mercy, and He did it because He loves us. As a result, in gratitude and respect for Jesus' compassion, let us incorporate mercy into who we are and how we spend our lives. Second, we must be forgiving. It may be challenging to forgive others and even ourselves. But Jesus is incredibly forgiving to us. He continues to welcome us with open arms every time we approach Him. Most importantly, forgiving others allows us to let go of feelings of anger, hatred, and resentment. Forgiveness may set us free and allow us to go on in life with peace, love, and understanding. Last but not least, we must be giving. Let us share our blessings with others, lend a helping hand, and be someone's shoulder to lean on.

When it comes to things to stop and release, Jesus says to stop judging and condemning. We are not in a position to pass judgment on others. Remember that everyone is going through something and facing their own battles. Always choose to be kind.

In a nutshell, today's gospel is Jesus' way of encouraging us to be kind, forgiving, and generous, just like Him. We are all created in the image and likeness of God. Hence, He invites us to follow Him to get closer to Him and walk in His footsteps. Our good efforts, genuineness, and deeds are recognized by Jesus, and blessings will come our way in His perfect timing. Let us continue to fill our hearts and minds with love and optimism, and let us be a beacon of light for ourselves and others.

Mia Gabrielle A. Garcia
Lit. Team Member of the Terrier Journal
B.A. in Communication Arts, Concentration: Digital Media, Minor in Political Science
St. Francis College, Class of 2026