Reflection for Monday, March 14, 2022: 2nd Week of Lent.
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Zuegner, Carol
Issue Date
2022-03-14
Type
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
|When I write my reflections for this wonderful ministry, I will be honest: I often procrastinate, wait for inspiration, furrow my brow over the gospel message. I am not a theologian, so my reflections are usually deeply personal, essentially what I think and feel from my head and my heart about the readings and my prayers for the day. I can say that today's gospel and my reflection are gifts. That's appropriate because today is my birthday. Today's gospel message is a gift for all of us. A gift that we should unwrap every day. Indeed, a gift that I could unwrap many times a day as a reminder to be merciful. How often do I judge others out of a sense of my own misguided righteousness? How often do I condemn as a way to make myself feel better? How often do I seek forgiveness without extending forgiveness to others, wrapped up in my own feelings of hurt pride?|I don't have to be that way. I can extend mercy, and in today's world, mercy is needed more than ever. I can step out of my righteousness and consider what others are going through before even thinking about making a judgement. I can pray for those I would condemn. I can ask for understanding and compassion as I offer those gifts to those around me.|I know it will be a struggle sometimes as I fold those judgements and condemnations around me like a cloak. But as I let go of that cloak, I can feel the weight of all that judgement, condemnation and perceived slights fall away. I can be open to giving and know that God will be merciful to me. Let me work on extending mercy and being open to feeling God's mercy as a gift "packed together, shaken down, and overflowing."
Description
Citation
Publisher
University Ministry, Creighton University.
License
These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.