The Catholic Calendar for Monday, February 21, 2004
Monday of Second Week of Lent
St. Peter Damian, bishop and doctor of the Church

Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
Daniel 9:4-10
Psalm 79:8-9,11,13
Luke 6:36-38

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today's Scripture readings remind me of two very important points. First, that the history of man's sinfulness is long and treacherous and second, that God's mercy is never-ending. I know these points are nothing new, yet it seems particularly sad to read how over and over and over again man has transgressed the commands of the Lord ignoring with impunity the prophets that were sent to save him. Yet, in all of this, God has never given up on us and continues even to this day to extend His merciful hand.

What are we to do when faced with such undeserved forgiveness? Cry ourselves to death because we have been so bad? Sink into despair because of our unworthiness? That would be an easy thing to do, but God asks instead that we rise above our misguided tendencies and do something positive and possible.

Today's Gospel tells us what we must do: be compassionate, non-judgmental, forgiving, to love as we wish to be loved. This is what our loving and merciful God asks of us. He wants us to be like Him.

How can we do that unless we claim the saving power of His grace. We must, with all our faults and failings clasp His gifts of goodness to us and be transformed into what we currently are not. God invites us to do this. Shall we, like so many before us, fail to heed this merciful directive? Pray Lord, no!

- Donna Raye Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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posted by joachim at 4:55 AM