Daily Readings for March 2, 2015

1ST READING

What is it about God who does not give up on Israel? Israel is constantly unfaithful — disobeying the commandments and following other gods, and yet God continues to be faithful and loving. Why? Because God is love and it is in His nature to forgive and give us another chance. We, too, are beneficiaries of His faithfulness. He forgives our sins time and again. He welcomes us back even after we have strayed far from His will. Let us be mindful that it is we who sin and it is never God’s fault if there is distance between us.

Daniel 9:4-10

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.”

P S A L M

Psalm 79:8, 9, 11, 13

R: Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.

8 Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low. (R) 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. (R) 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. (R)

GOSPEL

Judging others is a dangerous habit as we invite a similar judgment from God. We have to take a stand on whether an act is objectively sinful or not but we do not need to act in a judgmental way towards the person concerned. Let us forgive rather than judge, to set free rather than bind someone to judgment. Leave the judging to God who is going to do a better job than we ever will.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.

Luke 6:36-38

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, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.

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