“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven."
LUKE 6:37
Jesus emphasizes the virtues of mercy, non-judgment, forgiveness, and generosity. The message is clear: the way we treat others is the way we will be treated in return. This principle is often referred to as the “Golden Rule”. The Golden Rule is a fundamental moral principle also known as the ethics of reciprocity, which means you should treat others the way you would like to be treated. It serves as a guide for ethical conduct and promotes understanding and mutual respect among individuals.
36 Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. 38 Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, andoverflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” (Luke 6:36-38)
"Jesus spoke to his disciples, clear and true, 'Be merciful, just as your Father in heaven too. Stop judging, and judgment you'll evade, Stop condemning, and you won't be weighed. Forgive, and forgiveness will be your gift, in this cycle of mercy, your spirits will lift. Give, and gifts will come your way, a good measure, packed and full, every day. Shaken down, overflowing, more than enough even when the journey seems tough for the measure with which you measure, remember this cue, will in return be measured out to you.'"
Lord Jesus, You taught us to be merciful just as our Father in heaven is bountiful. Help us to stop judging so we may not be judged, to stop condemning so we may not be nudged. May we forgive, so we will be forgiven, in Your teachings, our lives are driven. May we give, so gifts will be given to us, a good measure, packed together, without any fuss. Shaken down, overflowing, poured into our lap, Your teachings are our guiding map. For the measure with which we measure will in return be our treasure. Amen
This passage speaks to themes of repentance, mercy, and the importance of following divine commandments. It’s a powerful expression of faith and humility. The concept of divine justice often provides comfort and a sense of fairness, as it assures believers that actions and deeds in this life will be judged fairly in the end. God’s compassion and forgiveness is a powerful and comforting aspect of faith for many people. It provides hope and reassurance that despite our shortcomings and mistakes, there is always a path towards forgiveness.
4 “Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you and observe your commandments! 5 We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws. 6 We have not obeyed your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers, and all the people of the land. ⁷ Justice, O Lord, is on your side; we are shamefaced even to this day: we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, and all Israel, near and far, in all the countries to which you have scattered them because of their treachery toward you. ⁸ O Lord, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers, for having sinned against you. ⁹ But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness! Yet we rebelled against you 10 and paid no heed to your command, O Lord, our God, to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets.” (Daniel 9:4-10)
"O Lord, so great, so awesome, so divine, You keep your merciful covenant in line for those who love you, observe your commands. In your eternal love, we place our hands. We confess, O Lord, we've strayed from your path, been wicked, done evil, incited your wrath. Rebelled and departed from laws so divine, in the face of your commandments, we resign. We've lost our way and have gone astray, In your name, O Lord, we seek to repay. Justice, O Lord, is surely on your side, we are shamefaced, in our guilt, we confide. In sin we sit, against you, we've sinned, we've done wrong, In your forgiveness, we hope to belong. But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness, in endless fashion! Yet we rebelled, paid no heed to your word to live by your law, sounds so absurd. Yet, O Lord, our God, we seek your grace to live by the law, in this holy space. Through your servants, the prophets, you've shown, in your divine love, we are never alone."
"Lord, great and awesome God, keeper of the merciful covenant, we come before you with love and respect, observing your commandments, seeking your effect. We confess our sins, our wickedness, our wrong, we've strayed from your path, where we belong. We've rebelled, departed from your laws so divine, in this moment of prayer, we seek your sign. We stand shamefaced, acknowledging our sin, against you, we've sinned, we've done wrong, in your mercy, we seek to belong. But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness, in your love, we find our witness."
This passage is a heartfelt plea for mercy, forgiveness, and deliverance. It acknowledges past wrongdoings and asks for God’s compassion and help. It also expresses a deep faith in God’s power to deliver those in distress and a commitment to give thanks and praise to God forever. This is a powerful expression of faith, repentance, and hope.
8 Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low. 9 Help us, O God our savior, because of the glory of your name; deliver us and pardon our sins for your name’s sake. 11 Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you; with your great power free those doomed to death. 13 Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; through all generations we will declare your praise. (Psalm 79:8, 9, 11, 13)
"Remember not, O Lord, our past mistakes, may your compassion come, for our heart aches. We are brought low, in need of your grace, in your mercy, we seek to find our place. Help us, O God, our savior so divine, for the glory of your name, let your light shine. Deliver us, pardon our sins, set us free, for your name's sake, we bow on bended knee. With your great power, right what is wrong, free those doomed to death, break their chains, in your mercy, relieve their pains. Then we, your people, the sheep of your care will give thanks to you, your love we'll declare. Through all generations, your praise we'll sing, to you, our God, our praises we bring."
Pericope:
IV: The Ministry in Galilee
LOVE OF ENEMIES / JUDGING OTHERS
Luke 6:27-36 / 37-42
II: Daniel's Vision
GABRIEL AND THE SEVENTY WEEKS
Daniel 9:1-27
Third Book of Psalms 73-89
A PRAYER FOR JERUSALEM
Psalm 79:1-13
Reflection Source:
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