Justice, O Lord, is on your side; we are shamefaced even to this day: we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, and all Israel, near and far, in all the countries to which you have scattered them because of their treachery toward you. O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers, for having sinned against you. But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness! Yet we rebelled against you and paid no heed to your command, O LORD, our God, to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets." (Daniel 9:4-10)
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)
Disobedience. Every one of us is guilty. As Daniel said: “We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.” No question about that.
Luke had it right. We judge; we condemn; we tend not to forgive. More than likely, we are unmerciful but expect mercy. We are hypocrites.
Are we shamefaced? Perhaps. Today’s readings give us pause and remind us that we are far from perfect. After all we are human with many faults and frailties. Even so, let’s remember that the measure with which we measure will in return be measured out to us. In other words, do unto others as we would have them do unto us. If we refuse, then nothing but grief will be poured into our laps. Sort of like holding a dirty-diapered baby in our laps. Quite wet and smelly.
Deacon Daid Pierce
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