A common element of the daily readings is a thread that ties the Old Testament, Psalm and Gospel readings together. The thread in Saturday’s Lenten readings is mercy.
Our relationship with God often looks like a pendulum – we swing into His love, then swing away. Back and forth we go – accepting, defying, and reconciling.
What does any good parent or coach do when we swing off course? Gently correct us– sharing truth in love. If God wasn’t love, he would let us continue to drift away.
Listen to the Old Testament reading from Micah….
Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance. …. Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger for ever because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion upon us, he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.
Father of Grace and mercy – like a pendulum, you know we drift…back and forth….in and out of your merciful embrace. Help us to see the grace of your guiding staff, correcting our momentum back into the heart of your love. Thank you for your unending love and mercy – the fount of unending water that quenches our eternal thirst for you. Amen.
#love #godislove #lent