Reflection for Monday of the Second Week of Lent

Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030512.cfm

"Jesus said to his disciples, 'Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.'"


We human beings tend to take on the characteristics of those whom we admire.  This is why parents are cautious about the people they allow their children to make for friends.  The same is true concerning our image of God.  If we imagine God to be harsh with us, then we will be harsh with ourselves and others.  Conversely, if we imagine God to be gentle and merciful with us, then we will be gentle and merciful with ourselves and others.


In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us to be merciful and to stop condemning and judging others.  The basis of this is that our heavenly Father is merciful.  In other words, we are to reflect the image of God in the way we deal with the sins and shortcomings of others; and since God has been merciful to us concerning our sins and shortcomings, we are to take on that characteristic in our dealings with others.


The question for us is: How do we imagine God to be with us?  One way to find a correct answer to this is to evaluate how we handle our own weaknesses and those of others.  If we are intolerant, then there is a good chance we (incorrectly) think God is intolerant with us.  If we are patient, then there is a good chance we (correctly) think God is patient with us.


At its core, Lent is about conversion; and conversion is just as much about a change in perspective as it is about a change in behavior.  May Christ purify our minds of an incorrect perspective of God the Father, so that we can extend his mercy to ourselves and others.