Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. ‘Do not judge, 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. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.’

The prophet Daniel sees the sin of his people and the havoc it has wrought. But he sees further and sees the mercy of God which far surpasses the sin of his people; and he puts his trust in that mercy.

The mercy of God is like the way a mother looks at her child. She sees her child without illusion, recognising the faults and failings but going much further to see the goodness and beauty which others may not see. The mother knows that her child is much more than his or her faults and failings, and seeing the more, her love never fails.

God too sees us just as we are, with all our sinfulness. But God sees much more, recognising what we can become if we open ourselves to the divine mercy. In the end, God sees and loves in us what he sees and loves in his Son, Jesus. Once we allow the mercy to heal the wounds of our sin, then the mercy flows through us as we move beyond the judgment and condemnation and toward mercy and compassion.