The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to act to bring mercy and compassion to the actions in our society that inflict suffering on people judged as undesirable in our plans for self aggrandizement.
The reading from the Book of Daniel recalls the suffering of the Babylonian exile to a later persecution.
* [9:2] Seventy years: Jeremiah was understood to prophesy a Babylonian captivity of seventy years, a round number signifying the complete passing away of the existing generation (Jer 25:11; 29:10). On this view Jeremiah’s prophecy was seen to be fulfilled in the capture of Babylon by Cyrus and the subsequent return of the Jews to Palestine. However, the author of Daniel, living during the persecution of Antiochus, extends Jeremiah’s number to seventy weeks of years (Dn 9:24), i.e., seven times seventy years, to encompass the period of Seleucid persecution. (Daniel, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 79 is a Plea for Mercy for Jerusalem.
* [Psalm 79] A communal lament complaining that the nations have defiled the Temple and murdered the holy people, leaving their corpses unburied (Ps 79:1–4). The occasion is probably the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army in 587 B.C. The people ask how long the withdrawal of divine favor will last (Ps 79:5), pray for action now (Ps 79:6–7), and admit that their own sins have brought about the catastrophe (Ps 79:8–9). They seek to persuade God to act for reasons of honor: the nations who do not call upon the Name are running amok (Ps 79:6); the divine honor is compromised (Ps 79:1, 10, 12); God’s own servants suffer (Ps 79:2–4, 11). (Psalms, PSALM 79 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke teaches about Judging Others.
* [6:27–36] See notes on Mt 5:43–48 and Mt 5:48.
* [6:37–42] See notes on Mt 7:1–12; 7:1; 7:5. (Luke, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Cindy Murphy McMahon comments that the more we intend to stop judging and condemning, and to forgive and give without expecting any return, and then try, and then do it again, we will succeed more and more because that is God's will for us and God will help us.
While it may seem like a burden to not judge, condemn, and hold grudges, Jesus’ directive to us is actually freeing. It frees us from those inclinations that hold us back and hold us down, that keep us from fully experiencing God's love and God's kingdom. By learning to refuse to give in to our gut reactions, we will become truly merciful and ever closer to God, just as the saints did, and do. And, we must not forget, as Jesus promises, “For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you." (Murphy McMahon, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The Practice of Mercy,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"The practice of mercy is twofold: when vengeance is sacrificed and when compassion is shown. The Lord included both of these in his brief sentence: 'Forgive, and you shall be forgiven; give, and it shall be given to you.' This work has the effect of purifying the heart, so that, even under the limitations of this life, we are enabled with pure mind to see the immutable reality of God. There is something holding us back, which has to be loosed so that our sight may break through to the light. In connection with this the Lord said, 'Give alms, and behold, all things are clean to you.' Therefore the next and sixth step is that cleansing of the heart." (excerpt from Letter 171A.2) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 6:36-38 comments that obedient to Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel, Patrick forgave the people—and he knew the joy of the Lord’s forgiveness. He gave his life to the Lord and gave himself to the Irish—and the Lord gave him the gifts of joy, courage, faith, and perseverance. And he gave him the greatest gift of all: a deep, abiding relationship with Christ.
Let’s follow Patrick’s example. Let’s give the gifts of our love, our forgiveness, and our presence to the people God puts in our lives. Not because we want more of his gifts, but because we are so grateful for all the gifts we have received already!
“Jesus, teach me how to give to others as you have given to me—and as St. Patrick gave to the people of Ireland!” (Meditation on Luke 6:36-38, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that in the penitential prayer in Daniel the guilt of the people is recognized as the prophet calls for the mercy of God. Our mission is to heal the brokenness of our brothers and sisters without condemnation with a view to bringing them to a better life. Friar Jude reminds us that the more we show love and are accepting of others, the more we become conduits of God’s love.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Theologian Julia Lambert Fogg who presents a biblical story of intergenerational immigration. Through her love for Naomi, Ruth becomes a revered part of Jesus’ lineage.
Do not press me to leave you
or to turn back from following you!
Where you go, I will go;
where you lodge, I will lodge;
your people shall be my people,
and your God my God.
Where you die, I will die—
there will I be buried.
(Ruth 1:16–17) (Rohr, n.d.)
We encounter obstacles to our mission of mercy and care for the groups oppressed, often by our elected officials, and we implore the Spirit in our struggle to rectify this shameful action and cease immoral judgement of others.
References
Daniel, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/9?4
Luke, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/6?36
Meditation on Luke 6:36-38. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/03/17/1228240/
Murphy McMahon, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/031725.html
Psalms, PSALM 79 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/79?8
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Choosing to Remain Together. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/choosing-to-remain-together/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Be Merciful as Your Father Is Merciful. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=mar17
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