Monday of the Second Week of Lent - March 17

Daniel 9:4b-10 Luke 6:36-38

How many times sitting in Mass, listening to the readings, some instance or event in my life comes to mind as it relates to the reading. His message is hard at work inside of us. We need constant reminding, because after all, we’re human. Every reading or homily speaks to each of us in a different way. Are we reflecting to see a way to improve our lives or to ask for forgiveness?

I’ve always loved the saying, “it’s the journey, not the destination”...and constantly have to remind myself of its meaning. Our lives are full of mistakes because we are human. None of us is perfect, but we must remember that it’s the journey, and always remember that God is willing to forgive us.

One reason God permits repeated forgiveness is to emphasize His unconditional love for us. If God were to withhold forgiveness after a single mistake, it would suggest that His love has limits. Instead, God’s ability to forgive time and time again showcases a love that is unwavering, guiding people to repentance and spiritual growth. Each act of forgiveness offers the opportunity for renewal, making it possible for individuals to grow closer to God through reflection and the desire to change.

Another key aspect is that forgiveness encourages spiritual development. By allowing people to experience both sin and redemption, God provides a path to understanding grace and mercy. This process teaches humility, as it reminds individuals of their dependence on divine mercy, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the grace that is granted.

Ultimately, God’s willingness to forgive time and again reflects His unshakeable commitment to our redemption. His forgiveness is a testament to His love and a call for us to embrace a life of transformation, where we continually strive to become more like Him, despite our repeated shortcomings.

Q: When in my life have I received forgiveness? For what do I need forgiveness today?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Monday of Holy Week - April 14

Isaiah 42:1-7 John 12:1-11 These readings are a great reminder to us all during Lent and Holy Week that we are called by God to spread His word. We are called to listen to Jesus in our daily lives, follow his example, and spread his teachings in our daily lives. The readings and Gospel first help us remember gratitude for all the beauty around us. As a parish, we are so blessed with the wonderful leadership of our parish, the beautiful church in which we celebrate Mass and the Sacraments, the amazing choir that shares its angelic voices, and a wonderful Catholic community. God has provided the very breath in our bodies, allowing us to share Jesus’s teachings by acting Christlike in our daily lives, living out Jesus’s example for our community and beyond. And when we are called to more overtly spread Jesus’s teachings – we are given instruction on HOW to share the Good News - humbly and quietly. The Gospel gives us a reminder of what is to come during Holy Week. While Mary anoints Jesus...
Read more

Palm Sunday - April 13

Luke 19:28-40 Isaiah 50:4-7 Philippians 2:6-11 Luke 22:14-23:56 On this day, we pack into the narthex bearing our palms and listen to a Gospel reading recounting Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem with his disciples before processing into the sanctuary. In recent years, these exclamations have troubled me; after all, not long after this moment of praise, we hear (or say) the words, “Crucify him!” It can feel vaguely uneasy to join in triumphal exclamations knowing that we’ll soon be meditating on the disciples who betrayed Jesus - betrayals mirrored in our own lives. Does that sense of unease miss the point of Palm Sunday’s opening rite? Turning to Luke, we learn that those who cry out are a “multitude” of his “disciples” - that is, a veritable crowd of outsiders who gradually joined Jesus as pilgrims on his journey from Galilee up to Jerusalem. They exclaim, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.” The first sentence is shar...
Read more

Wednesday of the First Week of Lent - March 12

 Jonah 3:1-10.   Luke 11:29-32 My first reaction to the first reading was one of fearfulness. God is proclaiming to Jonah that he would destroy an entire city and its people. I had to read it several times before I started to realize that there was a different message, not one of anger and wrath, but a message to listen, and a call to action. Jonah was given a message, and he was called to spread that message in order to save the people of that city.  I have been guilty of not making enough time for God. Some days I feel like I am just bouncing from one activity to another. By the end of it I find I am so tired I turn to my cell phone or the television to “zone out.” Many days are filled with thousands of decision points, and not each decision is the “right” decision. Worst of all, in some of those decisions I commit sin. In some of those decisions, consciously or not, I do not make an attempt to include God or listen.  Jonah listened to God‘s message first and then ...
Read more