We’d do well just to replay those four commands in our heads over and over for the remainder of Lent. Be merciful. Stop judging. Stop condemning. Forgive.
The call to be merciful is a perennial commandment in Holy Scripture. The people of Israel were to be known for their mercy to widows, orphans, and resident aliens. And so too, Christians are to practice the mercy of the good Samaritan, and mercy of the father of the prodigal son. And notice, the Lord doesn’t say, “be merciful....once in while.” “Be merciful, only to the people whom you like.” “Be merciful, only to people who will be able to pay you back.” No, he says, “be merciful as your Father in heaven is merciful” and his mercy is available to all people at all times.
What does it mean not to judge. We are certainly to avoid the sin of rash judgment—giving people the benefit of the doubt. Catechism says, To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor's thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way:
Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another's statement than to condemn it. But if he cannot do so, let him ask how the other understands it. And if the latter understands it badly, let the former correct him with love. If that does not suffice, let the Christian try all suitable ways to bring the other to a correct interpretation so that he may be saved.
To avoid condemning we need to avoid treating people as if they are not worthy of our help. To condemn a person is to say that they are too sinful, too ignorant, too perverse for my help or the help of God—I will have nothing to do with them because they are damned anyway. Rather, as long as a person draws breath, we are to bring God’s goodness to them and preach the Gospel to them.
Finally, we must forgive. Forgive, forgive, forgive. If we do not practice forgiveness, we will not be forgiven by the Father. We must let go of all grudges, all resentment towards those who have injured us either physically or emotionally. We are to forgive 70 times 70 times when our brother sins against us. Some of us are more willing to forgive strangers than close family members, because we claim they should know better, but forgiveness is to granted to all people: strangers, neighbors, family, friends, those in authority over us, to all.
Forgive. Be merciful. Stop judging. Stop condemning. Forgive. Be merciful. Stop judging. Stop condemning. For the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That the season of Lent may bring the most hardened hearts to repentance and bring to all people purification of sin and selfishness.
For the Holy Spirit’s continued guidance for Our Holy Father, Bishop, and all Church leaders.
For those preparing for baptism and the Easter sacraments, that they may continue to conform themselves to Christ through fervent prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
That we may generously respond to all those in need: the sick, the suffering, the homeless, the imprisoned, and victims of violence. And for all victims of the coronavirus and their families. And for the Church in places where Christian’s are persecuted and the Gospel is silenced.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.
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