+ We are almost half way through Lent now – and our verse before the gospel nicely summarizes the Lenten challenge: even now, says that Lord, return to me with your whole heart; for I am gracious and merciful.
The overall Lenten theme is REPENT, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND. This repentance, this turning away from sin, this turning toward God, his Son and their Spirit is however, not meant to be just a Lenten project, but rather a daily project that is ongoing. We have never completely turned away from sin, we have never turned completely toward Jesus, we are not safely home in the kingdom yet. There is always work to be done.
Our readings today speak of two kinds of work: offering spiritual sacrifice to the Lord, and forgiving as we are forgiven. These are very closely related to one another. Our spiritual sacrifices will not mean anything to God unless we are right with our brothers and sisters – unless we forgive from the heart, just as we hope to be forgiven by God for our transgressions. And we all transgress! And just as we need to forgive others seventy times seven, so too do we need to offer God an even purer and more perfect sacrifice from hearts contrite and humbled. He will look favorably upon us if our contrition is true, our trust in him is absolute and our resolution to live in harmony with our brothers and sisters across the board is sincere.
Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart; for I am gracious and merciful.
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