40 Shades of Lent by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday in the Second Week of Lent, 02 March 2026 Daniel 9:4-10 + + + Luke 6:36-38

Your words today, O Lord Jesus are short but give much to reflect on: "Be merciful... stop judging... stop condemning... Forgive... Give."
Jesus, teach me to be "shamefaced" like Daniel in the first reading: it is not enough that I realize my sinfulness, of my wickedness in refusing to love, in turning away from you, in disregarding your words over and over and still - be forgiven and loved.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).
So often in life, I forget the Father's mercy that I have totally been oblivious to being merciful; thank you Jesus in giving this comparison today, of being merciful as the Father is merciful.
What a shame of how often I look up to myself as so good, so righteous against others that I judge and condemn them; teach me to be like you, Lord: merciful, non-judgmental, forgiving; most of all, teach me to give freely like you, Lord; remind me always to remember your mercy on me to realize that more than an ideal, mercy is about how it feels in my own life.
Lord Jesus Christ, you have given me with so much love and mercy, kindness and forgiveness of sins but I have refused to be merciful with others; have mercy on me, Lord and let me be merciful like the Father. Amen.







