WEDNESDAY REFLECTION
Mid-week Reflection
3rd March 2021
Here we are now in the second week of Lent. The Scriptures at Mass on Monday featured the Book of Daniel. We will hear again from him next Tuesday, but, unlike the Gospels, not in an organised arrangement. I found the passage, which came from chapter nine, extremely moving. In the sentence before the passage we heard, Daniel announce that he is seeking the Lord by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. It’s a pity the editors missed that verse out as it makes great reading for Lent.
Anyway, Daniel goes on to describe God as great and awesome; infinite in the qualities of beauty, simplicity and mercy. Then comes the crunch. As if examining our consciences, he admits that we have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, rebelled and turned against the Commandments and ordinances. The lack of listening to the messengers of God causes confusion, treachery, sinfulness, rebellion and disobedience.
Preparation for Confession helps us to see our own particular transgressions and the need to turn our lives around from such calamity. We don’t deserve love. We don’t merit forgiveness. We aren’t worthy of these gifts. Yet, Daniel insists that God’s love is infinite, even when we seem to have rejected it. Probably every day we pray, ”….forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Perhaps we should replace that “as” with “even more than.” Or, even better, perhaps we should learn to show mercy to the extent that we wish to receive mercy.
Monsignor Monaghan
