Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent - April 2

Isaiah 49:8-15 John 5:17-30

The old testament reading focuses on “For the Lord comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted,” Isaiah, and is reinforced by the Psalm. “The Lord is gracious and merciful.”

In John’s gospel we are promised “Whoever hears my word and believes shall have everlasting life.” And Isaiah writes “On the day of salvation I help you.” Yet “the hour is coming...Those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life. Those who have done bad deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.” (But where is mercy?)

Then how are we judged? Matthew 25 describes what the Catholic church calls the Corporal Works of Mercy. One Catholic journalist puts them in modern terms: “When I was hungry you cut off my access to food stamps...thirsty and you left the lead in my drinking water...naked and you made sleeping outside illegal...sick and you defunded my health insurance...in prison and you sped up the schedule for federal executions...a stranger and you separated me from my family and caged me."

In our complex society the results of actions are often not in our control. There are unintended consequences just as there are several sides to every argument. So how are our deeds judged?

I go back to God is Love. Our journey to God involves listening to others without judging, avoiding violence in both subtle and obvious forms, caring for others, searching for improvement. These are positives in our control. Christ is in each of us. We can recognize his presence. What is the place of condemnation? The absence of God.

There’s no place in this world where I’ll belong when I’m gone. 
I won’t know the right from the wrong when I’m gone.
I won’t be asked to do my share when I’m gone.
So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here.
(Phrases from Phil Ochs: ‘When I’m gone’)

Q: What are my thoughts about Divine Judgement?

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