Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Father John O’Mahony SVD – Mission House, Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
Monday 2nd Week of Lent
The words of Jesus — “Be merciful, stop judging, forgive” (cf. Luke 6:36–37) — are deeply challenging. At times, they even seem confusing. Should not evil be condemned? Are we supposed to tolerate corruption, drug pushing, and injustice? Is it wrong to criticize leaders in government or even in the Church when they act out of self-interest rather than for the good of the people?
Clearly, evil must be condemned. Jesus Himself denounced hypocrisy, greed, and injustice (cf. Matthew 23). But here is the difference: Jesus condemned from a heart overflowing with compassion and love. His judgment was pure, free of self-interest.
Our problem is that we are not Jesus. We often judge with anger, resentment, or pride. Our self-centeredness gets in the way of true concern for others. We react personally to offenses, making forgiveness difficult.
So what can we do? Will God withhold forgiveness until we perfectly forgive others? Of course not. God’s compassion infinitely surpasses ours. He forgives the heart that is open to forgiveness. But genuine openness means sincerely desiring the grace to forgive.
St. Paul reminds us: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Forgiveness is not human achievement alone; it is grace.
We are not left alone. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to become merciful, forgiving, and compassionate (cf. John 14:26). If we allow the Spirit to act in us, He can transform our hearts, making us gentle and caring in ways we could never achieve on our own.
To be merciful, to stop judging, and to forgive is not weakness — it is strength rooted in God’s love. With His grace, our religion will not be dead ritual, but living faith.
“Lord, give me the grace to forgive as You forgive, to be merciful as You are merciful, and to see others with the eyes of compassion. May Your Spirit make me a true disciple of Your love.”
