GOD IS MERCY AND COMPASSION

⏰Saturday of the Second Week of Lent (03 March 2018)

????Mic 37:14-15, 18-20; Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12 (R.v.8a); Matt 15:1-3, 11-32

The prayer of the prophet Micah in Mic 7:14-20 reminds us of the great and limitless mercy of God upon his children. He is ever ready to forgive the sins of his children, as he was in the beginning, so he is now, and ever will be. Amen.

Anytime I read the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32, I keep pondering on how extravagant this God could also be in showing this mercy. One attitude of the Father keeps making a deep impression on me in that whole story. It was said that while the son was still a distance off, the father caught sight of him, moved with compassion and ran to meet him (Luke 15:20).

Consider how detailed that verse is in describing the actions of the father. It is in the nature of Luke to do so. That is why his book is the longest in the New Testament. In that light, would it not be absurd that the Gospel did not tell us that the father first of all got up from his sit or bed before running to meet the son?

There could be one explanation why Luke did not bother to tell us that; the father was standing and waiting expectantly and hopefully for the son’s return. He must have been that way since the son left home.

Is that not how God waits for us to come back to him? In fact, the prodigal son did not have the privilege of listening to the father’s invitation to come back to him as we do on daily bases. So what is stopping us from taking that decisive step which the prodigal son took and benefitted from?

He has promised that no matter how deep you are in sin, he is ever ready to save you. Rise up now and go back to him NOW! Tomorrow might be too late.

May God give us the grace to neglect all that draw us back and embrace his mercy with all our heart, that we may never be separated from him again. Amen.

Have a loving and merciful weekend. Peace be with you.