St. Augustine once said that “no one can outdo the generosity of God.” The more we give, the more we will receive. God has poured out in super abundance his merciful love in the hearts of his people. Despite our sinful and selfish ways, in the face of our disobedience to God’s word and his commands, even with our failure to love others, God is still merciful. Our first reading reminds us: “But yours, O Lord our God, are compassion and forgiveness.” Lent calls us to reflect on the gift of God’s divine mercy. He so loved the world that he gave us his only Son so that through the sacrifice on the Cross all might have life and have it in abundance. Lent calls us to “be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” We who have been shown such mercy cannot withhold or dispense is grudgingly. Stop judging others, refuse to seek revenge, don’t gossip about others, forgive those who hurt you, extend compassion and kindness to everyone you meet, throw of jealousy, anger and hatred of any kind. Jesus makes it quite clear what awaits us on Judgement Day: “the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
Prayer:
“Merciful God, you continue to shower your saving love upon me each day despite my unfaithfulness. You never stop forgiving my sins. In awe and humility, I recognize my unworthiness and yet rejoice in your kindness. Help me to be just as merciful and kind to others. Enable me to forgive the sins of others and to always extend the hand of compassion to those who have hurt me or need my kindness. Cleanse me of my sins through the grace of your Son, Jesus Christ, and help to be merciful as you are merciful. Amen.”
Action:
Pray for someone you dislike or a person who has hurt you in some way, asking God to heal the pain in your heart and enable you to reach out to that person in kindness and love.