HOW PRECIOUS IS YOUR MERCY, O GOD, FORGIVE US OUR SINS

HOW PRECIOUS IS YOUR MERCY, O GOD, FORGIVE US OUR SINS


HOW PRESCIOUS IS YOUR MERCY, O GOD, FORGIVE US OUR MANY SINS

(THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019)


It is such a human tendency to rank and compare. The readings today insert a Jesus-focused perspective on rankings. The letter from Timothy reminds us not to take a ranking by someone else to heart to our detriment. Stay vigilant, set a good example, keep teaching and learning. The letter from Timothy also includes an essential discipline for staying focused and vigilant in trying times – remembering the gifts you have been given by your faith community and your loving God. The letter from Timothy also reminds us that using these gifts and persisting despite how others may rate us, not only saves us, but also saves others around us. We inspire one another. The scriptures repeatedly remind us to encourage one another.

We need encouragement and inspiration from one another. We need to remind each other of our gifts and of the teaching to love one another and love and serve God above all else.
In the gospel story, Jesus reminds Simon that all of us are indebted to God more than we could repay on our own. All of us, regardless of how esteemed or how reviled we are by others, have access to mercy. We all fail and we all need mercy. We so easily fall into a pattern of recognizing and commenting on failures – failures of others and our own failures.

We too easily fall into a pattern of continually reciting to ourselves and to others undone task after undone task. We rate ourselves and rate others on completing tasks and lament the failures in so many undone tasks. At times we get so wrapped in this focus on these failures that the more important priority of caring for others gets ignored, much like Simon who appears to have ignored basic hospitality care for Jesus. Worry and focus on failures narrows our vision and our ability to use our gifts to their full effect.

The story that Jesus tells in today's Gospel reading is clear as regards to God’s love and forgiveness which He pours down on us gratuitously especially more when we love much. Christ said “Therefore I tell you that her sins, which are many, are forgiven for she loved much, but he who is forgiven little loves little,” and this puts her love as the cause of the forgiveness…your faith has saved you; go in peace”.

There are two people involved here, God and each of us. Now God does not measure out His love for us; He does not love us because..., or when..., or if..., He just simply loves us at least as steadily and strongly as the sun shines. It is us, the other people involved, who limit how much of His love we allow to enter our lives and change us.

Jesus calls us to mercy and gratitude that expresses itself in care, teaching, and encouragement. We have all been forgiven more than we can ever repay. Can we be extravagant today in our gratitude for mercy, love, and gifts that we have experienced? Can we pour out that gratitude in love and encouragement to one another?
God's forgiveness is always there, ready for us to take as much of as we want to or can. We cannot be waiting for God to forgive us since He already does, so I think we must be waiting to have the courage to love and accept love as much as this woman in the gospel does.

Let Us Pray: Lord Jesus, be merciful to me for I am a sinner, give me the grace to repent of my sins and to seek holiness of life. Amen.