Have mercy on me. I have sinned.

"Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger.  I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you." (Luke 15: 17 - 18).

On Sunday, the 4th week of Lent, we reflect on the model of conversion offered us in the story of the Prodigal Son. Conversion, metanoia is what Lent is all about. Not just a conversion from a life of sin, but conversion from a mediocre Christian to a Spirit-filled Christian, on fire to be an ambassador for Christ. This is possible for everyone because of the mercy of God who has promised that Lent is a favorable time for mercy and favors.

Let us reflect on the what the Church teaches about conversion:

"The process of conversion and repentance was described by Jesus in the parable of the prodigal son, the center of which is the merciful father: the fascination of illusory freedom, the abandonment of the father's house; the extreme misery in which the son finds himself after squandering his fortune; his deep humiliation at finding himself obliged to feed swine, and still worse, at wanting to feed on the husks the pigs ate; his reflection on all he has lost; his repentance and decision to declare himself guilty before his father; the journey back; the father's generous welcome; the father's joy - all these are characteristic of the process of conversion. The beautiful robe, the ring, and the festive banquet are symbols of that new life - pure worthy, and joyful - of anyone who returns to God and to the bosom of his family, which is the Church. Only the heart of Christ who knows the depths of his Father's love could reveal to us the abyss of his mercy in so simple and beautiful a way."(CCC 1439).

Be who you are redeemed to be:
A new creation and ambassador for Jesus Christ. (Cf 2 Corinthians 5: 17 - 21).

"Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
I will leave this place and go to my father and say:
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.’
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!" (Luke 15: 18).

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Let us strive to know the mercy of God.

"The tax collector stood at a distance, beating his breast and saying: O God, be merciful to me, a sinner." (Luke 18: 13).

On Saturday in the 3rd week of Lent 2019, the Gospel is the Parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisees. In this reflection, we want to dwell on Mercy as a key attribute of God.

In the first Reading from Hosea 6: 1 - 6, we hear this urgent cry:  "Let us know, let us strive to know the Lord; as certain as the dawn is his coming. He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth.” (Hosea 6: 3).

God reveals Himself as Mercy in the Bible. The word Mercy is used 273 times in the Bible (KJV version) and 13 times during the Mass. Hosea urges us to strive to know the Lord. If all that we know of God is that He is merciful, we are as good as any saint. Unfortunately, the observant Pharisee did not know this truth.

Never forget the ABC of Mercy:
Ask for mercy.
Be merciful.
Completely trust Jesus for mercy.

"Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
Harden not your hearts today,
but listen to the voice of the Lord.
Glory and praise to you, O Christ!" (Psalm 94: 8).

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You alone are God.

"Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord, for you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God." (Psalm  86: 8, 10).

Our key Scripture for Friday in the 3rd week of Lent is from the Entrance Antiphon. As we draw nearer to the great Solemnity of Easter Vigil and the renewal of our Baptismal Promises, you may call this Friday, "No to Idols Friday." After soul searching, we say to God: "You are the only God." Not money, not science, not technology, not health, not family, not power, lust or fame. "You alone are God." You are the Evergreen Cypress Tree. Because of You, we are alive and still faithful. (Cf Psalm 85: 10; Hosea 14: 8).

"The Lord our God is Lord alone!  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." (Mark 12: 29 - 30).

"Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
The seed is the word of God, Christ the sower; whoever finds this seed will remain for ever.
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!" (Gospel Acclamation).

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Has faithfulness disappeared from the Church?

"Thus says the LORD:
This is what I commanded my people: Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper." (Jeremiah 7: 23).

What does Abba Father say to Peter, James and John on the Mountain of Transfiguration?
"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" (Cf Matthew 17:5, Mark 9: 7, Luke 9: 35). This message seems to be the running theme of Lent 2019. Today, Thursday in the 3rd week of Lent 2019, the Lord pleads with us and added some sweet carrots: "Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper." (Jeremiah 7: 23).

But sad enough, the people refused to listen. "Say to them: this is the nation that does not listen to the voice of the LORD, its God, or take correction.
Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech." (Jeremiah 7: 28).

What about you brother? What about you sister?
"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." (Cf Psalm 95: 8).

"Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!
Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks – come back to me with all your heart, for I am all tenderness and compassion.
Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!" (Joel 2: 12 -13).

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Study the Law. Observe the Law. Teach the Law.

"But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: 19).

On Wednesday in the 3rd week of Lent, we hear one dominant theme from the Mass Readings: Teach the Law [the word]. The message comes strongly from the first Reading from Deuteronomy 4 and Matthew 5. Below are the Scriptures:

#1 "Israel, hear the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to observe." (Deuteronomy 4: 1).

#2 "See, I am teaching you the statutes and ordinances as the Lord, my God, has commanded me." (Deuteronomy 4: 5).

#3 However, be on your guard and be very careful not to forget the things your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your heart as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children." (Deuteronomy 4: 9).

From the Gospel:

#4 "But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: 19).

#5 "Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: 19).

The Church is in dire need of teachers of the word of God: catechists and evangelists. Without teaching and knowledge, a people perishes. (Cf Hosea 4: 6).

Therefore,
Believe what you read.
Practice what you believe.
Teach what you practice.

"Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!
Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life; you have the message of eternal life.
Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!" (Cf. John 6: 63, 68).

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I forgave you everything because you begged Me.

"You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.  Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?" (Matthew 18: 32 - 33).

On Tuesday of the 3rd week of Lent, we have a practical lesson on mercy and forgiveness. Yesterday we learned that the Lord is kind and merciful. Today we see how God applied loving kindness and mercy to an unworthy steward who squandered his master's wealth and now could not repay a penny. "I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to." This wicked servant showed from his subsequent actions that he did not truly appreciate the magnimous forgiveness of his entire debt by his master.

Forgiveness is a key lesson in the plan of salvation. Hence Jesus taught "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." (Matthew 6: 12). What is your attitude to forgiveness? Do you forgive offences easily and at once no matter what? This is what the Lord Jesus did from the Cross. This is what He commands every follower of His to do. The way to keep this lesson always in mind is the ABC of Mercy:
Ask for mercy. [I forgave you because you begged me].
Be merciful. ["Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?"].
Completely trust Jesus for mercy. [The Lord is always kind and merciful].

"Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
Blessed are those who, with a noble and generous heart, take the word of God to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance.
Glory and praise to you, O Christ!" (Luke 8: 15).

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The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.

"Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1: 38).

Today is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. A feast day in Lent: No fasting. No abstinence. What does the Annunciation of the Lord celebrate?
"The Annunciation to Mary inaugurates "the fullness of time", the time of the fulfillment of God's promises and preparations. Mary was invited to conceive him in whom the "whole fullness of deity" would dwell "bodily". The divine response to her question, "How can this be, since I know not man?", was given by the power of the Spirit: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you." (CCC 484).

Mary heard the word of God from the Archangel Gabriel and believed what she heard. In the first Reading today, King Ahaz heard the word of God from the Prophet Isaiah (7: 10 - 14) and did not believe. Mary believed and became Mother of Christ and our exemplar in faith. Ahaz exhibited unbelief and became a nonentity in history.

Believe in the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved.

"Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!
The Word became flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory.
Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!" (John 1: 14).

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