Today's Gospel March 9 2020 with comment

From the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke 6,36-38.
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: «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, shaken and overflowing will be poured into your womb, because with the measure with which you measure, it will be measured to you in exchange ».

Saint Anthony of Padua (ca 1195 - 1231)
Franciscan, doctor of the Church

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
The triple mercy
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" (Lk 6,36:XNUMX). Just as Heavenly Father's mercy to you is triple, so yours to neighbor must be triple.

The mercy of the Father is beautiful, broad and precious. "Beautiful is mercy at the time of affliction, says Sirach, like clouds bringing rain in times of drought" (Sir 35,26). At the time of trial, when the spirit becomes sad because of sins, God gives the rain of grace that refreshes the soul and forgives sins. It is wide because over time it spreads in good works. It is precious in the joys of eternal life. “I want to remember the benefits of the Lord, the glories of the Lord, says Isaiah, what he has done for us. He is great in goodness for the house of Israel. He treated us according to his love, according to the greatness of his mercy "(Is 63,7).

Even mercy towards others must have these three qualities: if he has sinned against you, forgive him; if he has lost the truth, instruct him; if he is thirsty, refresh him. "With faith and mercy sins are purified" (cf. Pr 15,27 LXX). "Whoever leads a sinner back from his path of error will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins", recalls James (Gia 5,20). "Blessed is the man who cares for the weak, says the Psalm, on the day of misfortune the Lord sets him free" (Ps 41,2).