Wednesday 20th August – Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the church.

Reflection: Matthew 20:1-6

THE GIFT OF GOD’S MERCY

The mercy of God is a necessity for you and I. By divine mercy, our sins are forgiven and we are empowered to lead a good Christian life. It is the same mercy that makes us partakers of divine life that God continually extends to people who are yet to receive Him as we see in today’s Gospel reading. This must gladden our hearts and spur us to constantly proclaim the Gospel to our neighbours who are still outside the fold of Christ; reminding them that God patiently awaits their home coming no matter how much they may have strayed. It is the mercy of God that keeps the wicked alive in hope of his repentance before death (Luke 15:1-10).

We cannot fully comprehend the depth of God’s mercy. It is profound. Let us continually plead this mercy for the home coming of our fellow brothers and sister who are not living in harmony with their God. When we sin, let us not give in to despair as God seeks to restore us out of His mercy.

As Christians we must perpetually plead for God’s mercy as none of us can be justified by good works alone (Galatians 2:16). Though, we are unworthy, Christ paid it all on the cross of Calvary. When we live under God’s mercy, we will enjoy certain graces that are beyond human understanding.

PRAYER: Father, I ask through your son Jesus Christ that your abundant mercy may always abound in my life. Amen.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7 RSV-CE

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT49 – Does God guide the world and my life?

Yes, but in a mysterious way; God guides everything along paths that only he knows, leading it to its perfection. At no point in time does something that he has created fall out of his hands.

Readings for today: Ezekiel 34:1-11; Psalm 23:1- 6; Matthew 20:1-16.