Bible Reading: Luke 6:36-38
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Do not judge, and you will not be judged.
Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.
Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Give, and it will be given to you.
A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:10)
A Reflection
What do Covid 19, flu and the common cold have in common with a yawn, a smile and encouragement?
They are all contagious. You can catch them all by being in close contact with someone else.
And, consequently, social distancing and face masks stop them all spreading. Whilst that is good news regarding Covid 19, flu and the common cold, it is bad news regarding smiles, encouragement, and even yawns!
According to Jesus, the same is also true for generosity, forgiveness and judgement. He says, ‘Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you.’ And, conversely, ‘Do not judge and you will not be judged’.
In a climate today where there seems to be a pandemic of judgement and criticism, it is not easy to stand apart from the crowd and be merciful, but that is what Jesus calls us to do.
If the result of our judgement of others is that we are judged by the same measure, then surely judgement of others is like Covid, something to be avoided at all costs.
And if forgiveness and generosity are equally contagious, would it not be a good idea to find ways of being more generous with all that God has given us and more forgiving of those who have hurt us?
And while we are about it, maybe we could also find ways of infecting others with a smile and with some encouragement!
When talking about generosity, the prophet Malachi said this, ‘Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it’
A Prayer
Teach me to dance to the beat of your heart,
Teach me to move in the power of Your Spirit,
Teach me to walk in the light of Your presence,
Amen
Teach me to dance to the beat of your heart,