In our verse before the gospel today we read: "Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart for I am gracious and merciful." And the responsorial refrain was: "A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn."
These are the key ideas of this day of Lent: all it takes is a humble, contrite turning back to God with our whole hearts that will make the grace and mercy of God accessible for us.
No one is living a perfect life; everyone knows deep down the areas that need "con-verting," that need "turning-back to God – whole-heartedly" – all it takes is our willingness and God does the rest! He takes us back, he rejoices in our purity of heart – he bestows his wondrous grace and mercy.
To motivate us to make such adjustments in our lives – we need not test God – and expect him to perform magic tricks for us in order for us to put our belief in his words, his ways, his commands! In the gospel passage Jesus says there will be no further sign: there is only one who is greater than Solomon; there is only one who is greater than Jonah: it is ME! Jesus is the sign par-excellence. He accepts our contrite and humble hearts; he distributes his grace and mercy to us who simply acknowledge our need, who acknowledge our offenses!
Have mercy on us, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out our offenses – a clean heart create for us, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within us.
No comments:
Post a Comment