SERMON/HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT 26TH FEBRUARY 2024

SERMON/HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT 26TH FEBRUARY 2024

Daniel 9:4b-10; Ps.79; Luke 6:36-38

You will receive in the measure you give!

Today, Jesus asked that we be merciful, judge not, condemn not and forgive. He went on to say that the extent to which we give these to others is the extent to which we shall also receive them. This means that what the Lord is asking us to give to others is something we ourselves are in need of. Again, when we consider the concepts of mercy, judgment, condemnation and forgiveness, they dwell on our reaction towards those who offend us or treat us badly. These concepts do not negate fraternal correction, instead they teach us how best to go about helping others grow out of their negative character.

Every wrong doer is someone in need of help whether the person realizes it or not. To render this help, we need the wisdom of God. First, God hates sin but never the sinner. Being able to make this separation means that it is always God’s aim to take away the sin that he hates from the sinner that he loves. If we are judgmental and full of condemnation, we will not give people opportunity to change; we will not believe them even when they are truly trying to change. We will continue to remind them of what they have done wrong, such that it becomes their second name. Some person go the extra mile of rubbing the wrongs of people on those who are close to them. So you hear things like: don’t marry from that family; their father stole in the market some years ago.

If we are not merciful and forgiving, we will loose the face and touch of humanity. We will never let go of anything nor overlook some mistakes of others. People who are easily irritated, unknowingly become irritation themselves. Mercy and forgiveness demands that we often times try to look beyond why someone has done something wrong and consider what might have motivated the person to do such. It is like trying to understand the conditions of others so that you can have a better idea of what they pass through, the struggle they face, the efforts they are making despite the fact that they still fall sometimes.

The truth is that, being human, everyone is struggling with one imperfection or the other. Sometimes we are afraid to speak of them to others because we fear that we may be misunderstood, judged or mocked at. We are not necessarily looking for someone who will validate our imperfection but someone who will first understand us, show true compassion before trying to help. If all of us need such approach, then all of us must approach others with the same method. That fact that you are not perfect does not mean you should not correct others; it only means that you should correct them as you would want to be corrected. The measure you give is the measure you will receive.