Daily Retreat 02/23/08
2008 Feb 23 Sat: Lenten Weekday/ Polycarp, bp, mt
Mi 7: 14-15. 18-20/ Ps 102(103): 1-2. 3-4. 9-10. 11-12/ Lk 15: 1-3. 11-32
From today’s readings: “Who is there like You, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of His inheritance?... He redeems your life from destruction, He crowns you with kindness and compassion.... Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found!”
The Good News of Lent
We’ve seen what a mistake it is to view Lent as a gloomy season, mired in sinful preoccupations. Instead, these days are specifically intended to give us a renewed appreciation for, and acceptance of, the great mercy of God. The book of the prophet Micah concludes in this vein of joyful wonder:
“Who is there like You, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of His inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, and will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins; You will show faithfulness to Jacob, and grace to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from days of old!”
That’s the same Good News that Jesus preached and embodied - nothing gloomy about that!
Mi 7: 14-15. 18-20/ Ps 102(103): 1-2. 3-4. 9-10. 11-12/ Lk 15: 1-3. 11-32
From today’s readings: “Who is there like You, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of His inheritance?... He redeems your life from destruction, He crowns you with kindness and compassion.... Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found!”
The Good News of Lent
We’ve seen what a mistake it is to view Lent as a gloomy season, mired in sinful preoccupations. Instead, these days are specifically intended to give us a renewed appreciation for, and acceptance of, the great mercy of God. The book of the prophet Micah concludes in this vein of joyful wonder:
“Who is there like You, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of His inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, and will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins; You will show faithfulness to Jacob, and grace to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from days of old!”
That’s the same Good News that Jesus preached and embodied - nothing gloomy about that!
posted by FrPitstick | 2/21/2008
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