How has God been merciful toward us? “He has loved us even when we were sinners” writes St. Paul to the Romans. Lent invites us to meditate upon God’s mercy upon us. It follows that we will come to a deeper understanding of God’s mercy when we come to understand the depths of our sinfulness.
When I consider how vile my sins are, I’ll also come to understand how good God is for forgiving me. When I consider how much I’ve lost due to falling into sin, I’ll also come to understand how much has been given back to me by God through his mercy. In a sense, the depths of our wretchedness also reveals the depths of God’s love because God’s love reaches the depths of our wretchedness.
Now, many people don’t like to think about their sins. They don’t like to confront how rude they’ve been, how impatient, how cowardly, how undisciplined, how morally weak. They avoid any sort of real examination of their actions and attitudes.
This is one reason why people stray from religion or avoid religion. They don’t want the reminders of their failings. They don’t want to hear about the goodness of Jesus, the goodness of the saints. Because these stories expose their own lack of goodness. They certainly don’t want to hear about the commandments or moral teachings of the church which serve as an objective criteria for their actions to be judged.
But, the Christian is taught to humbly admit his sins, to measure his actions against the perfect goodness of Jesus. And to willingly do so. And yes, it is uncomfortable discovering how far we’ve fallen. But this is also to discover how much we are loved. And this consciousness of one’s sinfulness becomes a powerful foundation for the Christian life. For the one who is deeply aware of the mercy he has received from God, will in turn show mercy towards others. Those who give little reflect little on what they’ve been given. Those who give much, have reflected much on what they’ve received.
We have been loved even when we were sinners, and so we are impelled into the world to do the same. We feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, not because they are worthy of our love, but because we have been loved when were unworthy by God.
St. Francis de Sales once said, “the measure of love is to love without measure”. God has loved us without measure. May we extend that same measure of love to others, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
That the season of Lent may bring the most hardened hearts to repentance and bring to all people purification of sin and selfishness.
For those preparing for baptism and the Easter sacraments, that they may continue to conform themselves to Christ through fervent prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
That we may generously respond to all those in need: the sick, the suffering, the homeless, the imprisoned, and victims of violence. And for all victims of the coronavirus and their families. And for the Church in China and all places where the Gospel is silenced.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.
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