+ One could say that the opposite of a “bold-faced lie” is clearly an “absolute truth.”
And that, it seems, is what is presented in God’s word today through Daniel, through the responsorial psalm and by Jesus.
The connecting tissue between the two readings is that psalm response: “Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.”
And this psalm both admits the truth of “our sinfulness” throughout the ages, even as it also proclaims the great and eternal mercy of God.
And this Book of Daniel will loudly proclaim that God is faithful and merciful and protects those who trust in him.
And particularly in this book, God proves once again over time and throughout history that he keeps his promises.
And that he would once again deliver and re-establish his people who had wandered from him and been dispersed throughout the lands and stopped seeing and hearing his voice.
Oh, the good that happens in our lives (proclaims this word) when we walk with our God, are in harmony with him — seeing and hearing his voice, and accepting and rejoicing in his love.
+ And Jesus appeals to the disciples and to us: “Be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful. Stop judging. Stop condemning. Forgive. Give. Receive gifts gladly given to you by God, packed down and shaken together and overflowing and poured right into your laps.”
And in classic fashion Jesus tells the “absolute truth” when he succinctly and quite directly tells all: “For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
Or to put it in another way and in other words: “You will get back from others what you give out to others.”
And just as the good book says, “Your words, Lord, are spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.”
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
