I hope your first full week of Lent went smoothly as you kept in mind your Lenten promises! Today’s readings present us with another great lesson to keep close to our hearts this Lenten season. The first reading from Daniel sounds quite intimidating. “We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws…we are shamefaced even to this day” (Daniel 9:5; 9:7). The responsorial psalm continues this message to say, “Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins” (Psalm 79:8). The general message presented by the reading and psalm is that we are sinners and there’s no way to avoid it! And we have sinned not only against God, but against each other…Don’t worry though! We are far from lost and can always find forgiveness!
So how do we gain forgiveness not only from our all-loving God, but from others too, you ask? The Gospel once again has an answer for us (it’s funny how it works that way!). “’Be merciful, just as your father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged…Forgive and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:36-37). Forgive, and you will be forgiven (often times that involves us forgiving ourselves as well!). These are powerful words, especially in an age where we often place our pride first. We’d much rather prefer it if the other person said sorry first, rather than forgiving them. So with this lesson of forgiving to be forgiven comes a lesson of humility. A relationship, with either man or God, cannot progress if our pride comes first.
For the rest of this Lenten season, please keep in mind the picture that goes with today’s reflection. Remember always that God forgives us for our mistakes, that we are simply children of God learning the responsibilities of being full members of his family on earth. Pax Amicis in Christos!
-Eric, Class of 2016
No comments:
Post a Comment