Daniel 9:4-10 / Luke 6:36-38
One of the often quoted sayings of Pope Francis comes in just five words: Who am I to judge?
He said this with regards to a particular issue, and so it was in a particular context.
Nonetheless, those words are still practical and applicable to wider issues about life and faith.
Quite obviously, Pope Francis is echoing the teachings of Jesus in today's gospel.
Jesus gave us a challenging teaching when He said: Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned.
That is clear-cut and straight-forward enough. As much as it is clear, yet we have this tendency to curtail this teaching of Jesus.
We would want to know if the other party deserves it or not, if the other party is repentant or not, if the other party would say sorry first.
But it is clear that when Jesus taught about compassion and pardon, He did not put in any conditions for it.
As the 1st reading said "To the Lord our God mercy and pardon belong" but "ours the look of shame because we have betrayed Him".
Let us in this season of grace turn to God who is compassionate and merciful and be filled with His compassion and mercy so that we in turn can offer others forgiveness and pardon.