Meditation: Mercy goes both ways

Meditation, mercy goes both ways: Jesus told his disciples: “Be merciful, as your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you won't be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. ”Luke 6: 36–37

Saint Ignatius of Loyola, in his guide to a thirty day retreat, he spends the first week of the retreat focusing on sin, judgment, death and hell. At first, this may seem very uninteresting. But the wisdom of this approach is that after a week of these meditations, retreat participants come to a profound realization of how much they need God's mercy and forgiveness. They see their need more clearly and a deep humility is encouraged in their soul as they see their guilt and turn to God for His mercy.

Ma mercy goes both ways. It is part of the very essence of mercy which can only be received if it is also given. In the Gospel passage above, Jesus gives us a very clear command on judgment, condemnation, mercy and forgiveness. In essence, if we want mercy and forgiveness, we must offer mercy and forgiveness. If we judge and condemn, we too will be judged and condemned. These words are very clear.

Meditation, mercy goes both ways: Prayer to the Lord

Perhaps one of the reasons many people struggle to judge and condemn others is because they lack a true awareness of their own sin and need for forgiveness. We live in a world that often rationalizes sin and minimizes its gravity. Here because teaching of St. Ignatius is so important to us today. We need to rekindle the sense of the gravity of our sin. This is not done simply to create guilt and shame. It is done to promote the desire for mercy and forgiveness.

If you can grow into a deeper awareness of your sin before God, one of the effects will be that it will be easier to judge and condemn others less. A person who sees his sin is more likely to be merciful with other sinners. But a person who struggles with hypocrisy will surely also struggle to be judgmental and condemn.

Reflect on your sin today. Spend time trying to understand how bad sin is and try to grow into a healthy contempt for it. As you do so, and as you plead with our Lord for his mercy, pray that you can also offer the same mercy you receive from God to others. Since mercy flows from Heaven to your soul, this too must be shared. Share God's mercy with those around you and you will 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 see my sin clearly so that I, in turn, can 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 receive it and share it with others. Make me a true instrument of Your divine grace. Jesus I believe in you.