Friday, February 19, 2016

Ezekiel 18:21-28, Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8, Matthew 5:25-26

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS
Ezekiel 18:21-28, Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8, Matthew 5:25-26

Ezekiel 18:21-28 


My Beloved, You remind us today that choosing to be virtuous or wicked has consequences. The virtuous live, the wicked die. The wages of sin is death, the reward for good and virtuous living is eternal life, and we are affected by the choices we make. Although You hate the sin, You love the sinner and You constantly invite the sinner to turn away from evil. You go after the lost and having found him the sinner You carry him/her home on Your shoulders. You even tell us that there is great rejoicing in heaven when the sinner turns from his or her wicked ways and repents.

Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8

The Psalmist reminds us my Beloved that if a repentant sinner cries out from the very depths of his being, pleading with sorrow and anguish to be forgiven, such a person will find in You mercy, forgiveness and tender compassion. Your justice is always tempered with mercy. You understand the frailties of our flesh and how easy it is for human weakness to give way to temptation. If You were only just that we are doomed but with You is mercy and loving kindness this is why the sinner who repents has hope. He trusts Your Word that You came into the world to redeem mankind and lead them back to the Kingdom of God. 


Matthew 5:25-26

My Beloved, You have said that as long as our today lasts on earth we are given opportunities over and over again to forgive and be forgiven, to extend mercy and receive mercy. We must not hold on to grudges and if we have so acted that anyone has a grudge against us we must make the first move and ask to be forgiven. We are members of Your Body and if one member is sick the whole body is affected this is why You tell us that forgiveness and mercy must be a constant in our relationships with each other if we are to be healthy, fruitful and whole. If not then we have to be purified before we enter into Your Presence – the length of time and the degree of purification depends on how deeply we have wronged and sinned against each other.

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