Daniel 9: 3-10; Psalm 79; Luke 6:36-38
Last week I broke my own resolution for Lent. I will focus on only a part of one reading, encouraging you to read the whole passage slowly and preferably aloud. So I begin again, and so can you with what you hope to offer God this season.
Jesus exhorts: “Be merciful as your Father is merciful. Do not judge.” Notice, it is not “Be you perfect” as in Matthew. Luke’s whole gospel depicts God’s mercy and kindness, God’s preference for the poor and outcast. God’s love, portrayed by Luke but embodied by Jesus, is unconditional.
What if you gave up perfection for Lent? What would that look like in your life? Something as simple as leaving your bed unmade or as painful to the ego as missing a deadline or a date? Pray for the gift of non-judgmental acceptance of yourself as well as others. Pray for the gift of mercy as your God shows mercy, and to love as Jesus loves.
Jesus, merciful and humble of heart, take our hearts and make them yours. Give us new hearts of flesh that we might hear the cry of the poor and in some way respond.