Some days the readings that Mother Church chooses for us to read really hit home. Is there anything more beautiful to read than what we had in our second reading this morning. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Christ Jesus came into this world to save me and save me He has. He can and He will do the same for you – you just need to invite Him in to do it.
If you do anything today, pass these readings onto someone who thinks they are beyond saving. No one – NO ONE – who accepts Jesus into their life is beyond saving.
In our first reading, God was ready to blaze His wrath upon “stiff-necked” people. After all the good the Lord had done for them, they still lost their way with Him. Moses intervened for the Jewish nation. You, too, can intervene for the “stiff-necked” people in you life who seem to have lost their faith in God.
But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying,
“Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people,
whom you brought out of the land of Egypt
with such great power and with so strong a hand?
Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel,
and how you swore to them by your own self, saying,
‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky;
and all this land that I promised,
I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.'”
So the LORD relented in the punishment
he had threatened to inflict on his people.
Spend a few minutes contemplating the beauty of this Psalm (51):
I will rise and go to my Father…
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
No matter how deep you’ve sunk, rise up now and go to your Father – our God in heaven – our Abba. He will see you coming long before you know He is even there. That is the whole point of the parable of the Prodigal Son. God will allow your free will to run from Him, to follow your “path”. But just as the Prodigal Son learned, I think you might be learning now. Sin, freely chosen, will never give you the happiness you desire – it will only leave you wanting more, searching for more and the more you pursue sin, the further from your Father you become. But the Prodigal Son realized just how good he had before leaving home…Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son. But how did his father respond?
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him,
and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
So if you are reading this post and think that your sins are unforgivable I am hear to tell you that you’re wrong. If you’re reading this post and think there isn’t enough time to repent, again, I am hear to tell you that you’re wrong. Go to your Father in heaven, tell Him that you have sinned against heaven and against You. God will see you coming and just He did with the Prodigal Son, He will come to you rejoicing that one you were lost but now you are found.
You can start with these simple words – Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.
Do something great for our Lord today – if you know someone who is lost, send them today’s readings. If you are that person who is lost – find God – He hasn’t forgotten you; reach out to Him and let Him come to you rejoicing.
God’s will, not mine, be done.
Be not afraid; just have faith.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Have mercy on me, a sinner.
He must increase; I must decrease.
St. Mary Magdalen Men of God 