GIVE, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU

GIVE, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU

(January 28)

Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” (Lk 6: 37-38)

…But I can’t give what I haven’t first received, from God. When I allow the “good” of God into my heart (like forgiveness, mercy, gratitude, humility, and so on), and then pass it on to others, I find it comes back to me. When I’m embracing gratitude, patience, humility, compassion, and perceiving the world in God’s light, I find that this light is reflected back onto me, as people, things and places seem friendlier, warmer, and even quite wonderful. On the other hand, when I disconnect with God’s grace, and carry around ingratitude, resentments, self-centered expectations and demands (of myself and/or others), etc., then everything and everyone suddenly doesn’t “measure up.” And I become like this open wound, sensitive to every little thing.

Let me re-connect with God this morning, surrendering to Him all the empty space in my heart. I accept His mercy this morning, His love and generosity, toward me and others, that I may carry it with me, and pass it on, throughout my day. “Our Father, Who art in heaven!” I say to God as I begin this day. “Thy will be done” with all of us today, Lord, as You see fit.