The measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you

25 FEBRUARY (Lk 6,36-38)

As in the Old Testament was already taught in great detail on charity, almsgiving, mercy, compassion, forgiveness and other virtues, Jesus today confirms it and gives it the fullness of truth, justice and holiness. Let us try to read the Psalm in the light of the rule of God’s holiness.

Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to You I cry all day long. Make glad the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon You. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; And give heed to the voice of my supplications! In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You, For You will answer me. There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours. All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And they shall glorify Your name. For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God. Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever. For Your loving kindness toward me is great, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. O God, arrogant men have risen up against me, and a band of violent men have sought my life, And they have not set You before them. But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and truth.

Turn to me, and be gracious to me; Oh grant Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your handmaid. Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, because You, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me. (Psalm 86 (85) 1-17).

Man asks for mercy, forgiveness, piety and compassion to his God. Here is what the Lord answers to whoever calls on him to get some grace of charity.

The vengeful will suffer the Lord’s vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail. Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Should a man nourish anger against his fellows and expect healing from the Lord? Should a man refuse mercy to his fellows, yet seek pardon for his own sins? If he who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins? Remember your last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin! Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; of the Most High’s covenant, and overlook faults.(Sir 28, 1-7).

Jesus extends this law of mercy and forgiveness to every other relationship that man necessarily establishes toward his brother. Jesus places man himself as measure of charity of the Father. It is man himself that offers God the container in accordance with which he wants to be enriched by God. Who wants a great mercy from God must be greatly compassionate towards the neighbour. Who wants his every wish to be fulfilled by God, must fulfill the wishes of good of his brothers.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets. (Mt 7, 7.12).

Man is the measure of God’s love towards Him. The more he will be great in the mercy toward his brothers and the more the Lord will be full of goodness to him. Who prays to the Lord must always let himself be prayed by his brothers who are in a state of need and necessity.

Be merciful, just as (also) 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.”

When we are alone, sad, left to ourselves, without anyone to take pity on us, it is a sign that we have been merciless and without compassion towards our brothers. Who serves the brothers with love, great compassion, piety, mercy and charity; he will always be served by God with a superabundant measure.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints give us a high measure of love.