Monday of the Second week in Lent
Luke 6:36-38
Therefore, be merciful, just as your Father is also merciful.
Therefore, be merciful, just as your Father is also merciful.
Do not judge, and you will not be judged.
Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Give, and it will be given to you: a good measure, pressed down and shaken together and overflowing, they will place upon your lap. Certainly, the same measure that you use to measure out, will be used to measure back to you again.”
What do the Fathers say?
St AMBROSE. How great the reward of mercy which is received from the privilege of divine adoption! Widely spread is the mercy of God; He pours His rain upon the unthankful, and the fruitful earth refuses not its increase to the evil.
St ATHANASIUS. For we, who behold His mercies, those good things that we do, should do them not with regard to men, but to Him, that we may obtain our rewards from God, not from men.
St John CHRYSOSTOM. Judge not your superior, that is, you a disciple must not judge your master, nor should a sinner judge the innocent. You must not blame them, but advise and correct with love; neither must we pass judgment in doubtful and indifferent matters, which bear no resemblance to sin, or which are not serious or forbidden.
For he who severely sifts the fault of others, will never obtain acquittal for his own.
St CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA. He here expresses that worst inclination of our thoughts or hearts, which is the first beginning and origin of a proud disdain. For although it becomes men to look into themselves and walk after God, this they do not, but look into the things of others, and while they forget their own passions, behold the infirmities of some, and make them a subject of reproach.
But we shall receive more abundant recompense from God, who gives bountifully to those who love him.
The Apostle explains this when he says, He who sows sparingly, (that is, scantily, and with a niggardly hand,) shall also reap sparingly, (2 Cor. 6:9.) (that is, not abundantly,) and he who sows blessings, shall reap also blessings, that is, bountifully.
St BASIL the Great. For according to the same measure with which each one of dispenses either good works or sinning, will he receive reward or punishment.