“But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”

That line from Paul stayed with me this morning. What is Christ’s gift? Today’s Gospel tells me. Mercy.

“Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’”

That really made me think this morning, because I don’t think I can give mercy without sacrificing something. Most of the time it is my judgment, my thoughts about what should happen, or probably the hardest one for me, my control. To give mercy, I have to sacrifice some of my human way of seeing things and try to see them more like Jesus does.

So don’t just fast to fast. Don’t just abstain from meat to abstain from meat. Don’t just sacrifice my time to sit in the Adoration Chapel. Those are good things, but let the sacrifice lead me to mercy.

And sometimes that mercy needs to be for myself. I was disappointed in myself yesterday because I didn’t make time for some of the things I wanted to do for God. But Jesus says, “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

That is Christ’s gift. Mercy. And Paul reminds me today that grace is given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. I need that grace to receive His mercy, and I need that grace to give mercy to others.

My prayer today is simple: Lord, help me be merciful. Help me sacrifice my judgment, my pride, and my control so that I can receive Your mercy and give it to others.

I pray each of you gets the graces you need today.

Keep up the good fight.

I am praying for you, please pray for me.

Scripture:
Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Matthew 9:9-13