The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity. – Exodus 34:6

       “You need not fear judgment if you know the Judge.” That was one lesson I took home from an advent retreat I attended several years ago. And I have heard it preached over and over again: No sinner is beyond God’s mercy. God forgives even the most grievous sin. God’s love is perfect and He loves us unconditionally. These truths about God I know in my mind, but do I believe them in my heart and soul?

       I imagined myself standing before God on Judgment Day, a wide screen behind me that showed every moment of my earthly life, including both the good and bad I’ve done. Nothing remains hidden – every single thing about me is exposed for the Lord to see. I bow my head and close my eyes, bearing the guilt but also harboring hope. How will He judge the way I lived my life? Only God knows.

       Indeed, I do not have to be afraid of God’s judgment if I truly believe that He is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity.” And if there is one faithful soul who intercedes for me, just as Moses did for the stiff-necked Israelites, I believe God will hear his plea and will let His grace and love prevail. Dina Pecaña (dpecana@yahoo.com)

Reflection:Do you fear God’s judgment?

“Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and the whole world.” (from the Divine Mercy Prayer)

St. Barnabas, Apostle, pray for us. 

As he stood before the Lord’s presence, Moses became more aware of his sinfulness and felt that he was unworthy. He also knew that God’s mercy and love is greater than his sinfulness. Like Moses, let us trust in God and have the courage to come into His presence. Let us get closer to Jesus so He can purify us and guide us along the path of His perfect will.

4 Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinai as the Lord had commanded him, taking along the two stone tablets. 5 Having come down in a cloud, the Lord stood with Moses there and proclaimed his name, “Lord.” 6 Thus the Lord passed before him and cried out, “The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.” 8 Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship. 9 Then he said, “If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own.”

R: Glory and praise for ever!

52 “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; and blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages. (R) 53 Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever. (R) 54 Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. (R) 55 Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. (R)

Following the Lord faithfully is never easy. This is why encouragement is important to the Christian life. We need all the help we can get. Let us affirm others in their faith especially as they make life-changing decisions. Encouragement strengthens us in our faith.

11 Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the holy ones greet you. 13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

Jesus came not to judge us but to love us. If we refuse to receive His love and the gift of salvation, it is this decision that judges us, not Him. Let us respond to God’s goodness to us. He has revealed His love to us. Do we want to know His love? Or can we live without it? The choice is ours.

Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come.

16 God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

think: When did you first begin to see that God wants to save you and not condemn you?

Read the Bible in one year 1 Kings 12-14

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

WHAT MOTIVATES GOD TO ACT?

The above question is an important one as we always check on our and other peoples’ motivations. It makes a difference if someone is motivated for self-concern rather than being other-people oriented. We live in a world that has an ever-strengthening narcissistic approach to life, and so when we find someone who is an altruist — focused on the good they can do for others — it is like finding a breath of fresh air in a hothouse.

       Jesus tells us that He has been sent to bring us the gift of salvation. This means that both His and our heavenly Father’s motivations are focused on doing good for us. Let us remember this to keep the right perspective on God’s intervention in our history.

       It is important for us to experience the saving love of God. This mostly occurs when we have a concrete realization of God’s forgiveness of our sins. God chooses to give us a second, third, fourth, and so many others chances for us to receive the gift of eternal life. There is no sin that He does not forgive. We can be sure that His mercy and love endures forever (Psalm 136). There is nothing in the New Testament that suggests otherwise, and we should beg God to convince us of this truth.

       We all need to be aware of our own motivations in the things that we do so that they are in accord with the highest aspirations of love as demonstrated to us by Jesus. God never asks us to walk a path that Jesus has not already opened up for us through the example of His life. Let us follow where He leads. Fr.Steve Tynan, MGL

---------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS ----------

What do you think of the idea that God forgives your sins? Are you humble enough to accept His forgiveness? Are you willing to pattern your life after His?

Lord Jesus, help me to hear Your call more clearly so that I will follow You wherever You lead. Amen.