Daniel 9:4-10 / Luke 6:36-38
One of the spiritual direction of the season of Lent is to examine our conscience and to point out for ourselves the areas in which we have sinned.
Yes, we know we have sinned and we may recall certain sins here and there. Yet, in doing so we may miss the forest for the trees.
In other words, we may be looking the the particular sins but we may not be able to see them collective as a source from which these sins are manifested.
In the 1st reading, we hear the prophet Daniel confessing the sins of his people.
He confesses that they have done wrong, acted wickedly, betrayed the Lord's commandments and ordinances and turned away from them.
Yet he also named the source of their sinfulness - they have committed treason against the Lord and betrayed Him.
On the other hand, we might not use such strong words like "treason" and "betrayal" as our sins.
Yet when we judge others and even condemn them, then we have betrayed the compassion the Lord has for us and we have committed treason against His love.
Yet Jesus also tells us what to do - to grant pardon to others and give to others.
And then for our sins, pardon and forgiveness will be granted - a full measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.
And from the pardon and forgiveness that we are granted, may we in turn grant it to others, and with compassion added in too.