Embracing Divine Mercy: From Sinfulness to Love and Reconciliation
February 23, 2024 - Friday of the First Week of Lent
Ezekiel 18:21-28; Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8; Matt. 5:20-26
The history of humanity is marked by our sinfulness. The twentieth century was one of the bloodiest centuries to date, and unfortunately, the beginning of the twenty-first century does not look any better. Islamic terrorism and local wars between gangs, tribes, and nations continue to claim innocent lives. Additionally, there is the unreported fact of the growing persecution of Christians across the globe. When we add to that the sins of omission, our cowardice or indifference in the face of evil, we find ourselves confronted with a bleak picture of humanity.
Ezekiel 18:21-28 emphasizes the importance of turning away from sin and choosing righteousness to experience God's mercy and forgiveness. The prophet states that God does not derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked, but instead, rejoices when they turn from their evil ways and choose life (Ezek. 18:21). A similar idea is expressed in Psalm 130, which proclaims a message of hope for all sinners: "But with you, there is forgiveness, that you may be revered" (Ps 130:4).
Most of us are familiar with Saint Faustina, the Polish mystic, who, amid that bloodiest twentieth century, spread the message of Divine Mercy. Incredibly, God's response to our sinfulness is not punishment, but forgiveness. The Diary of St. Faustina includes many statements that echo the sentiments of Ezekiel and the psalmist. In one of them, Jesus says to a sinful soul, "My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world. Who can measure the extent of my goodness?" (Diary, 1485). This awareness of God's mercy should transform the trajectory of our lives.
Today's passage from the Gospel belongs to a longer section known as the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7). It includes the eight beatitudes and Jesus' reinterpretation of the law of Moses. We are reminded that, as followers of Christ, our righteousness should surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees (see Matt. 5:20). This means that our lives should be guided by the greatest commandment of love: to love God and love our neighbours. The practical implications of this commandment are clear: we should refrain from anger and seek reconciliation with our brothers and sisters.
We are all well aware of the destructive nature of anger. In the story of Cain and Abel, it was anger that led Cain to commit the terrible act of murdering his brother. Therefore, it is not enough to simply adhere to God's commandment, "Thou shall not murder." Instead, we must address the root of the problem. It is no coincidence that anger is among the seven deadly sins, as it has the potential to cause great harm, even leading to death. The Desert Fathers prescribed patience or long-suffering as the antidote to anger.
Anger is often fueled by abusive language, which is particularly damaging within families and communities. How often has a single word, like the one mentioned in today's Gospel, caused our tempers to flare up? The best way to handle such situations is to avoid using such hurtful language altogether. However, if we do find ourselves having hurt others with our words, it is important to make a sincere apology and seek reconciliation. Jesus instructs us to leave our gifts before the altar in Jerusalem and go back to our brothers and sisters. This may require a challenging journey, as Galilee is around 100 km away from Jerusalem, but it is a necessary step for those who wish to enter the Kingdom of God.