"Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful."
Luke 6:36
There were so many wonderful passages in today's readings I could have chosen! Paul to the Colossians: "Put on...heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience..." (Colossians 3:12-17) And today's Gospel is line-for-line, exactly how we are to live: love your enemies, give to others, forgive, stop judging. (Luke 6:27-38) But I thought the way to sum all of these wonderful passages into one is "Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful." If we are merciful, we are all the others--loving, forgiving, nonjudgmental. Being merciful to me means realizing that another person is a child of God too. They may have had a difficult background or horrible things may have happened to them in the past and they are just trying to make their way the best they can. Being merciful means being understanding and compassionate, not a doormat for others, but understanding and forgiving. We can't go through a day without someone getting under our skin, but being merciful means we do not let it ruin our day or make us angry or mean. We can treat each other with the kindness and compassion that St. Paul describes to the Colossians. So, today, let this scripture run through our minds like a little ticker-tape...."Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful." Love, heidi
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