How have you experienced God’s compassion and forgiveness in your life? Have you extended the same to those around you? - Daily Reflections March 2,2015

GOD’S COMPASSION AND FORGIVENESS

 

Our First Reading today is actually a prayer, imploring God for His mercy and compassion. But it is far more than just asking Him for something. There is a humble acknowledgment that “we have sinned” and also a self-deprecating statement, “We are shamefaced.” At the same time, there is a shift of focus, so as to ascribe mercy and sympathy to God: “But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!”

       Give credit where credit is due. On our own, we have nothing to claim except our sins and transgressions. God alone is merciful and compassionate. Until we make this clear and truthful acknowledgement, there will always be confusion and misunderstanding as to His attributes and role in our lives.

       And yet, as our Responsorial Psalm puts it, we also have the courage to “break the rules,” asking God to go beyond the usual confines of His attributes when it comes to our sinfulness. For how else do we have the guts to ask God, “Do not deal with us as our sins deserve”? If mere human logic were the rule, we won’t stand a chance at all. But thanks to His compassion and mercy, there is hope.

       That is why we, too, must not judge and condemn others. Shifting to the positive, Jesus advises us, “Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you...” The typical one-to-one correspondence of human logic in this case works. “The measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

     Moreover, God will not be outdone in His magnanimity and generosity: “A good measure, packed together, shaken down and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.” Still, the basis and starting point is our fundamental correspondence to God’s ways, as far as mercy and forgiveness are concerned: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How have you experienced God’s compassion and forgiveness in your life? Have you extended the same to those around you?

 

I have sinned against You and my brothers and sisters. Grant me, Lord, Your compassion and forgiveness.