Monday of the Second Week in Lent
In scanning the index in the back of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, I've noticed over time that the three most extensive subject headings are "Church", "Jesus Christ", and "Man." Certainly the subjects of "Church" and "Jesus Christ" in the Catechism index come as no surprise in being the most extensive, considering these critical, multifaceted subjects lend themselves to numerous subheadings that cover so much of our faith. However, the subject of "Man" as also being a prominent subject within the index gives me a healthy reminder of the totality of Catholicism. Not only does our faith teach us about God and the Church, but it also tells us who we are as human beings, how we are to live as mankind, and who we are called to be like.
Today's Gospel from Luke begins with a powerful statement from the words of Jesus' well-known Sermon on the Plain: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." If Jesus had simply said "Be merciful," it may be easy for us to gloss over these words. Instead, we are not only given a command, but a standard by which to live that command. This is not an arbitrary, generalized, or impersonal standard, but a divine standard that's based on a relationship- a relationship with God our Father. Yes, as human beings, as mankind, we are called to be like God in this way, never putting limits upon the mercy that we show to others. Jesus continues in today's Gospel with four additional commandments: stop judging, stop condemning, forgive, and give. Each one of these commandments from our Lord is directly related to the virtue of mercy.
Considering the weakness of our human nature, it's probably easy to feel that we have fallen short of the divine standard prescribed by Christ in today's Gospel. As such, we may find no problem in connecting to today's first reading from the book of Deuteronomy, in which the author writes, "We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws. We have not obeyed your servants the prophets... We are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers, for having sinned against you." As in today's Gospel, a comparison with a father is made; this time relating the people of Israel with their human fathers who were sinful. Reading this passage may almost seem discouraging as we prepare for the task that Christ sets before us in today's Gospel. However, I think this reading is challenging us to focus on the vastness of the Father's infinite mercy, to which we are being called to share in and to which we are also beneficiaries, rather than just our own inadequacies.
What does it mean to be authentically human? To be part of mankind? Well, in one sense, because Jesus was perfectly human, to be a human being is to think, talk, and act like Jesus Christ. Through communion with Jesus we become partakers of the divine nature. (CCC 460) We have been called to be like God, who has shown us infinite mercy! Without the Holy Spirit, this transformation is impossible. But with the Holy Spirit and the grace of God, we can become vehicles of God's mercy and live according to Jesus' command to be merciful to an infinite degree, or rather, a Fatherly degree. There's no question that the worlds needs to know and experience this mercy. Therefore, Jesus' words cannot remain mute in our lives and the theme of mercy cannot remain as simply a line item in the index of the Catechism. We need to live it! As this season of Lent progresses towards Good Friday, let us remind ourselves of the Father's mercy upon us and seek new ways to show this mercy with all those around us. Our Father, please forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Amen.
Ryan J. Mahle