Monday of the 2nd week of Lent year A
Theme: Sincere remorse
The 1st reading from the prophet Daniel presents sincere remorse to us. He started by accepting the fact that they have wronged God and are now appealing for his mercy. This is already the right step in the right direction. It is not the time to begin to shift blame or give reasons for the reason why you failed. It is rather the time to accept the fact that you have failed and beg for the mercy and forgiveness of God. This is an attitude that we all need during this season of Lent. Accept your failings and sincerely ask for God mercy and forgiveness. This is the first step towards forgiveness and healing. Interestingly, the season of Lent gives us a very wonderful opportunity to retrace our steps remorsefully and return back to God, trusting in his mercy and forgiveness. Making excuses for our failings and doing a blame game does not really show a sincere sign of remorse. Let us therefore humble ourselves and go to God in humility, begging for his mercy and forgiveness, for the times we have failed ourselves and God. He is waiting patiently to receive us and forgive us our sins, if only we will humble ourselves and go to him.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, this same mercy that God is always willing to show to us, is what the gospel reading is also encouraging us to show to one another. We are all in need of the mercy and forgiveness from God, let us also extend it to one another; especially during this season of Lent. The gospel went further by pointing out the fact that, it is what we give it that we will receive. A subtle way of encouraging us to do to others what we want to be done to us. Simply put, the measure you give will be the measure you get back. It is never too late for us to begin to do the right things in our lives. We are all encouraged today to embrace what is good and practice them in our lives, just as we expect to get the best equally from other people. We cannot refuse to show people mercy, and then expect mercy from other people. We are all encouraged today to do the needful for our own good and to the glory of God.
There is no better time to embrace this admonition better than this season of Lent. As you strive to do this, may almighty God bless you in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.