The measure with which you measure - Monday, March 21st

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Luke 6: 36-38
Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

• mercy (merciful): compassion or forebearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power; the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment.
• How has the Father been merciful to me?  How do I measure up to His standard of forgiveness and compassion?  Are there desires for revenge/punishment towards others that I need to resolve?  How can this reading help me to do that?
• judge (judging): to form a negative opinion about; to determine or pronounce after inquiry and deliberation; to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises; decide upon critically; to infer, think, or hold as an opinion; to make a mental judgment.
• How often do I find myself judging others?  Is it mostly internally?  Or do I let it lead to gossip?  What efforts do I make to be objective and weigh the facts over opinions?  Could getting to know the person or situation I am judging help me to be more understanding?  Can I separate a correct judgment of someone's wrong action from the person?  Can I do this with myself - being able to see my sin without feeling like I am unforgiveable? 
• condemn (condemning): to declare reprehensible, wrong, or evil usually after weighing evidence and without reservation; to pronounce guilty (convict); indicate strong disapproval of; sentence to punishment.
• Do I look for evidence and facts before pronouncing disapproval?  Do I follow along with the judgments of others, or try to make my own assessment of the person or circumstances?  Do I correctly condemn actions that are contrary to good and truth, or am I afraid to go against popular opinion?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.