Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent (March 6, 2018): How much mercy do you want?

Giving forgiveness is necessary for receiving forgiveness, says Jesus in today’s Gospel passage. We need to take an honest look at the areas of unforgiveness that still exist in us and then let go of them so that we can journey more fully into God’s mercy.

Do you think that God cannot or will not forgive a particular sin you’ve committed? Do you repeatedly confess the same past sin in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, even though you haven’t repeated the sin itself? If so, you’re holding a grudge against yourself and you’re closing yourself off from the mercy that God is already giving you.

Do you hate yourself for your sinfulness and failures? Are you jealous of those who seem holier or better than you? Then you’re not being merciful toward yourself, and God’s mercy cannot touch you, although you long for it.

Do you think that God isn’t forgiving the sins of those who have hurt you? Are you quick to complain about others? Is your anger interfering with a joyful, holy life? Then you’re holding grudges. Righteous anger is the embracing of our calling to do something about the damage and injustices of sin while hoping for the sinner’s repentance; sinful anger doesn’t lead to the improvement of anything and it hopes for the sinner’s demise.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean condoning a sin, nor does it mean permitting the sin to continue. Choosing to forgive (it’s a decision, not a feeling) is a spiritual uncorking of our hearts so that unforgiveness no longer blocks the love that God is trying to pour into us. Either we’re clogged up with grudges and fear or we’re open to giving and receiving love.

Giving love to those who aren’t loving us frees us to receive God’s perfect love, which is infinitely greater.

St. Peter Chrysologus said: “If you want to receive, give. If you ask for yourself what you deny to others, your asking is a mockery …. You will not be allowed to keep what you have refused to give to others.”

If we want God’s mercy after we sin, we have to give mercy whenever someone sins against us. If we refuse to give mercy to others — if we complain rather than reach out with love, if we seek revenge instead of offering to help — we’re not open to God’s mercy.

God never denies us his love; he cares all the time, no matter what! But for us to receive mercy, we have to be a bottle with a hole at both ends — God’s mercy flows into us so that his mercy can flow out of us to others, and at the same time, more mercy is flowing into us.

Pope Saint John Paul II offered this prayer for you during his papacy: “May Christ’s followers … abound in works of mercy; may they be compassionate towards all, that they themselves may obtain indulgence and forgiveness from You” (Dives in Misericordia — “The Mercy of God”).

Beloved Lord, may Your Spirit of Love remind me of my weaknesses and of the love I find only in You. I want to look at those who hurt me with mercy and be always willing to forgive. Amen.