Mercy goes both ways. It’s part of the very essence of mercy that it can only be received if it is also given. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a very clear command about judgment, condemnation, mercy and forgiveness. 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.” [Luke 6:36–37] Essentially, if we want mercy and forgiveness, then we must offer mercy and forgiveness. If we are judgmental and condemning, then we will also be judged and condemned. These words are very clear.
Perhaps one
of the reasons that many people struggle with being judgmental and condemning
of others is because they lack a true awareness of their own sin and their own
need for forgiveness. We live in a world
that often rationalizes sin and downplays the seriousness of it. We need to rekindle a sense of the seriousness
of our sin. This is not done simply to
create guilt and shame. It’s done to
foster a desire for mercy and forgiveness.
If you can
grow in a deeper awareness of your own sin before God, one of the effects will
be that it’s then easier to be less judgmental and condemning of others. A person who sees his sin is more apt to be
merciful to other sinners. But a person
who struggles with self-righteousness will most certainly also struggle with
being judgmental and condemning.
Spend time
trying to understand how ugly sin is and try to grow in a healthy disdain for
it. As you do, and as you beg our Lord
for His mercy, pray also that you will be able to offer that same mercy you
receive from God to others. As mercy
flows from Heaven to your own soul, it must then also be shared. Share the
mercy of God with those all around you and you’ll discover the true value and
power of this Gospel teaching of our Lord.
My most
merciful Jesus, I thank You for Your infinite mercy. Help me to see clearly my sin so that I, in
turn, may see my need for Your mercy. As
I do, dear Lord, I pray that my heart will be open to that mercy so that I can
both receive it and share it with others. Make me a true instrument of Your divine
grace. Jesus, I trust in You.
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