Be merciful and you shall receive mercy.

"Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect, says the Lord." (Matthew  5: 48).

Saturday, the first week of Lent, there is so much wisdom from the word of God to spur us on our Lenten Journey.

"Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5: 44). Jesus set an unforgettable example with this commandment when still hanging from the cross, He forgave all those who nailed Him to the cross and left Him to die slowly. How do you feel when you demand that your enemies must show remorse and repentance before you forgive them?

"Jesus surrendered himself to death, letting himself be taken for a sinner.* He bore the faults of many while praying for sinners.
℣. Jesus said, Father, forgive them: they do not know what they are doing.* He bore the faults of many while praying for sinners." (Office of Readings).

Do not say: Jesus can do this because He is God. Stephen, the first martyr did exactly the same. So did every martyr down the centuries. They all forgave those who were executing them.

Nobody can claim that forgiving serious crimes or malicious fraud is easy. But try praying for the offenders and you will be surprised that you too can forgive. Jesus made forgiveness of your enemies the condition not only for your own forgiveness but for receiving special favors from God.
Remember the ABC of Mercy:
Ask for mercy.
Be merciful.
Completely trust Jesus for mercy.

"Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! Blessed are those who,
with a noble and generous heart,
take the word of God to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!" (Cf. Luke 8:15).

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