Today's Gospel on the 2nd week of Lent says: (Lk 6:36-38) - "Jesus said to his disciples, «Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Don't be a judge of others and you will not be judged; do not condemn and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven; give and it will be given to you, and you will receive in your sack good measure, pressed down, full and running over. For the measure you give will be the measure you receive back»."
The Gospel of today can be interpreted and expressed by saying, “You must treat others the way others treat you.”
In our own words and interpretation, this must mean that, “You must give to other people what you want the most for yourself,” because God will take care of the rest.
Another way of saying this is that, it is when you are able to give up what you enjoy and aspire for the most; and when you can give up your very dreams so that others can become better persons; and when you can sacrifice for others so that they may be able to continue to live a descent life, then you are giving them your real love; and when there is love that is real, then God is always there.
In our Eucharistic celebration, we offer simple bread. We offer simple wine. And yet, in the poverty of our offering, GOD responds. He gives us back, no longer bread, no longer wine, but His very body, His very blood.
God is always like that- He cannot be outdone in generosity. God always appreciates ANY sacrifice we make. The Lord says, “Treat others the way you would have them treat you.”
It is not true that if you do not take care of yourself, no one else will. Rather the Lord says, “When you have forgotten yourself, when you have given up what you want most, what you cherish most, what you love most, then I will enter into your life. I will take care of you.”
This message reminds me so very clearly of my journey seven years ago when my only hope and hindsight in my life was to join a monastery and become a monk someday.
The step I undertook was not to be understated as it was the only motivation for me to leave the kind of life that I lived happily for may years out in the world.
My decision to serve God by becoming a member of a religious community was realized. I was blessed.
The path which I chosed was a kind of path which to others may seemed so grim and uncertain. But I trusted God. I left my teaching profession which I loved so much for a monastic life.
What made me give up my most-cherished life as teacher in the classroom? This: "When you have forgotten yourself, when you have given up what you want most, what you cherish most, what you love most, then I will enter into your life. I will take care of you" - GOD.”
May God bless us and be gracious to us in this time of Lent!
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