Lenten reflection 7 : God's Mercy

8 March 2017

God's Mercy

In today's first reading (Jon:31:10), we learn of the great mercy of God on the people of Nineveh. Jonah had been sent to warn them, and the King of Nineveh and his subjects took the warning seriously and repent, hence softening God'd heart from punishing them.

The Psalmist confirmed with his song (Ps 51:3-4, 12-13,18-19): 

                            " A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn."

In the Gospel of Lk 11:29-32, Jesus expressed disappointment that the people gathered before him wanted a sign, and yet they failed to recognize that He, the Son of Man is actually a greater sign than Jonah was to the Ninevites.  

Are we blind like the crowd? Do we recognize Jesus among us?...in the poor who live in the fringes of society? the oppressed who have been driven out of their homes because of urban development? the crippled beggar on the street? the old ragged women pushing their carts trying to get scraps of paper boxes from the shops? the homeless? the distraught father who tried to get money to save his sick child? the mentally ill? the orphans and widows? the lonely and abandoned? 

This Lent, let us pause from our busy lives to remember these people in our neighborhood, the least of our brothers and sisters. Pray for them and help them in anyway we can, to preserve their dignity, lift up their spirits and offer hope and faith for them to carry on in this difficult world. 

I sing with the choir:

                              Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
                              That saved a wretch like me,
                              I once was lost but now am found,
                              was blind, but now I see.

                              T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear 
                              And Grace my fears relieved,
                              How precious did that Grace appear,
                              The hour I first believed.