The mercies of God

THAT lamentation of Christ because some people did not ask for forgiveness for their sins in spite of the many blessings given to them (cfr. Mt 11,20-24) should strongly remind us that no matter how sinful and helplessly wretched we feel we are, God is always eager to forgive us if only we ask for it.

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!” he cried. “For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes.”

We should never fail to contemplate and praise God’s merciful attitude toward us and his endless wonderful things he has done for us. Let’s hope that we can make as our own what a psalm articulated: “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.” (98,1)

Let us follow the example of Christ himself who, in contemplating the action of his Father through the apostles whom he had sent to preach, broke out in thanksgiving. “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,” he said, “because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” (Mt 11,25)

We should never doubt the tenderness and power of God. We should never hesitate to go to him asking for help and mercy. We should rather feel his great love for us which, ideally, should be a constant feature in our life. That’s where we get the power of his love.

Let us try to grow more in intimacy with Christ, like what the apostles experienced after the Resurrection. As we know, Christ continued to stay close to them, as when they were fishing. Christ showed them great affection by giving them a good catch of fish and a hearty breakfast on the shore. (cfr. Jn 21,1-20)

We should never fail to realize that Christ continues to take care of us and to lavish us with his love and affection. What we have to do is to correspond as best that we can to this divine outpouring of God’s love. And given our condition that is wounded by sin, let us never hesitate to ask for forgiveness which, we are assured, will always be given us.

Whenever we feel the sting of our weaknesses and sinfulness, together with their antecedents and consequences, their causes and effects, let’s never forget to consider also God’s mercy that is always given to us, and, in fact, given to us abundantly.

Let’s strengthen our conviction that Christ has a special attraction to sinners, that he is ever willing to forgive us as long as we show some signs of repentance that he himself, through his grace, will stir in us.

Let’s play the part of Peter who, after denying Christ three times, realized his mistake and wept bitterly in repentance. Christ looked kindly on him and forgave him and even made him the prince of the apostles.

Let’s avoid playing the part of Cain and Judas who, after committing their crimes, ran away instead of going back to God repentant. Of course, in saying this, I am not at all judging that they are in hell. That judgment belongs to God alone.

We just have to make sure that we do not get spoiled by God’s abundant mercy, because even if his love and mercy is eternal, his justice is never sacrificed. His mercy and justice always go together, in proportions, if we have to speak in human terms, that are just right.