Healing and reconciliation always begins with us acknowledging that we have greatly sinned and are in need of our Saviour’s healing grace upon us. This may seem easy enough for some but not so for many. For sin itself may have blinded them to the truth! “Oh it is ok to just look at naked pictures I am only admiring God’s creation and so what if I lust a little so long as I don’t act on it.” “I was only sharing with my closest friend what I witnessed, it’s not gossip only a sharing!” “Well I did not actually see him take it but I would not put it past him.” “I gave her a good piece of my mind for being so clumsy, so what if it made her cry she deserved it!” How easy it is to see the faults in others but not see the many faults in ourselves. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to open our eyes, heart and minds to see where we have gone wrong and for the courage and strength to own up and turn back to the Lord in perfect contrition who waits for us with open arms.
As mentioned healing and reconciliation begins with acknowledging our sins. For us to be fully reconciled and healed by our all merciful and loving Lord; We too must forgive those who have sinned against us! No matter how deep the hurt and pain we can and shall forgive through the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. For nothing is impossible for the Lord our God. For He wills that we be compassionate as our Heavenly Father is compassionate. Amen
First reading
Daniel 9:4-10
Yours is the integrity, Lord; ours the shame
O Lord, God great and to be feared, you keep the covenant and have kindness for those who love you and keep your commandments: we have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly, we have betrayed your commandments and your ordinances and turned away from them. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. Integrity, Lord, is yours; ours the look of shame we wear today, we, the people of Judah, the citizens of Jerusalem, the whole of Israel, near and far away, in every country to which you have dispersed us because of the treason we have committed against you. To us, Lord, the look of shame belongs, to our kings, our princes, our ancestors, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God mercy and pardon belong, because we have betrayed him, and have not listened to the voice of the Lord our God nor followed the laws he has given us through his servants the prophets.
Gospel
Luke 6:36-38
Grant pardon, and you will be pardoned
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’
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