Saturday 7th March – Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent
Reflection: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
BE OPEN TO MERCY
“You will be merciful to us once again. You will trample our sins underfoot and send them to the bottom of the sea”. Micah 7:19
The Yoruba adage which can be translated as “A child who opens his arms wide is the one who is ready to be carried” greatly pictures our role in receiving of the fountain of God’s mercy as Christians. The love and mercy of God overflow in abundance to the believer who daily opens the door of his heart for a refreshing encounter with God. This knowledge of God’s benevolence should be our treasure and hope as we daily battle with sin.
The Lord detests sin and not the sinner. He cannot behold sin in his presence especially when we go back to him in humility and with a contrite heart (cf Psalm 51:17). The psalmist says that only those who are pure in heart and in thought can enter his temple. How is this possible? Beloved in Christ, the mercy of God is a highway that always awaits us whenever we take a stand to return to God after a shameful defeat by the tempter. It starts its powerful work of redemption once we decide to approach the throne of grace. The prodigal son in today’s gospel reading was celebrated both on earth and in heaven for taking such great act of opening himself to his father’s mercy. Why languish in the guilt of sin when God calls you every second to come to him? What separates you from the mercy of God?
Make a decision today to always shame the devil by daily confessing the mercy of God. This season offers you a great privilege to celebrate that mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation; seek the nearest opportunity to run into God’s open hands in confession and you will be overwhelmed by His great mercy.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to always approach your throne of mercy. May I never give in to despair and be discouraged in my quest for holiness. Amen.
KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 150 – Can the Church really forgive sins?
Yes. Jesus not only forgave sins himself, he also conferred on the Church the mission and the power to free men from their sins. Through the ministry of the priest, the penitent receives God’s forgiveness, and his guilt is wiped away as completely as if it had never existed. A priest can do this only because Jesus allows him to participate in his own divine power to forgive sins.
HIDE A TREASURE: “As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our sins from us”. Psalm 103:12 GNB
Today’s Readings: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Catholic Devotional for Youth 