Repentance and Mercy

In this week’s readings we find the themes of repentance and mercy.  In his letter to Timothy, Paul tells us that he was once a blasphemer, persecutor and arrogant but because he acted out of ignorance the grace of the Lord was abundant, along with faith and love that is in Jesus Christ.

I challenge you all to bring joy in heaven by repenting of your sins and praying for others to repent as well.  In today’s Gospel reading we find out that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.  So repent and bring joy in heaven.

We also know that the prayers of the righteous man avails much (James 5:16) therefore once you’ve repented of your sins please pray for others to do the same.  We have a beautiful example of this intercession in today’s first reading.

While Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai God became displeased even angry at the multitudes at the base of the mountain.  You see, they had made a golden calf and were worshipping it but Moses interceded for them.  He asked God to have mercy on them and our Lord “relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people.” 

But are there sins just too heinous, or awful, that God simply cannot forgive no matter how repentant we may be?  No, there aren’t any.  We can know this with certainty by looking at the parable of the lost son.  We see that the worst possible sin one can make is to reject God and we see in this parable (Luke 15:11-31) that God is not only prepared to forgive the wayward son but that he is also waiting for his return.  We know this because we read in the parable that “while he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.” 

And so bring joy in heaven by repenting of your sins and praying for others to repent as well to bring even more joy in heaven.

God  Bless
Nathan