2ND WEEK OF LENT

A good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing. 

Have you ever seen coffee being ground and watched the powdered grounds fill the container? Even when the coffee rises right up to the top, the process is not finished. You can still shake the can gently a few times and watch the grounds settle, leaving room for just a bit more. That’s the way to get what you’re paying for!

People in Jesus’ time used this same approach when they brought their grain to a miller to be ground into flour. Everyone knew a bag might look full, but it could still have room for more. When it’s truly full, then you have “a good measure” (Luke 6:38).

In today’s Gospel (Luke 6:36-38), Jesus uses this everyday phenomenon to teach us about God’s mercy. He offers us mercy in “good measure” to the degree that we show mercy to the people around us (Luke 6:38).

By saying these words, Jesus expanded the original commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). Few people need to be taught how to love themselves; it’s our normal instinct. We all want to get our own “grain sacks” filled to the brim (even if we fill our sack with cheap substitutes for God’s good grain!). Our natural care for ourselves, however, is but a dim reflection of the love Jesus wants us to have for other people. He wants us to reflect his own love and generosity.

God does not give stingily to us—he gives “a good measure” of mercy, “packed together, shaken down, and overflowing” (Luke 6:38). And he gives this way even though we don’t deserve it. So whenever you want to judge or condemn, whenever you feel hurt or rejected, he calls you to forgive in an overabundant way.

Today, thank God for his mercy to you. Even more, ask the Holy Spirit to help you give this kind of “good measure” to someone else. For some offense against you, whether real or perceived, bring your hurt, indignation, or humiliation to Jesus. Ask him for the grace to forgive the other person, and imagine pouring your forgiveness lavishly on them, exactly the way you want to receive mercy from God.

“Jesus, teach me to be merciful as my heavenly Father is merciful.”

Daniel 9:4-10
Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13
Luke 6:36-38

WORD AMONG US