Mass Readings: April 7
I DESIRE MERCY
"Then He spoke of exterminating them, but Moses, His chosen one,
withstood Him in the breach to turn back His destructive wrath." –Psalm
106:23
The scene described in Psalm 106:23 above might leave the impression
that God is angry, vengeful, and eager to punish. A more complete
interpretation is that God is perfectly just. Sins, both personal and
national, have harmful effects on innocent people and nations. Justice
demands that these wrongs to humanity and civilization be righted. The
justice of God also demands that reparation be made for the wrong He
Himself has suffered from the sins of humanity. However, God delights in
mercy (Mi 7:18) and is more eager to give mercy than we are to receive
it. Not only that, but Jesus Himself intercedes for us and for nations
(1 Jn 2:1). Sadly, many have prevented themselves and others from
receiving God's mercy (see Mt 23:13).
The Lord declares: "The
people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they afflict
the poor and the needy, and oppress the resident alien without justice.
Thus I have searched among them for someone who could build a wall or
stand in the breach before Me to keep Me from destroying the land; but I
found no one" (Ez 22:29-30). This passage reveals a God Who wants His
justice to be won over by an appeal to His mercy. Yet who is willing to
pay the price of appealing for God's mercy and standing in the breach to
intercede on behalf of a sinful world? The Lord desires mercy (Mt
9:13). Do we desire mercy enough to stand in the breach and intercede
for it?
PRAYER: | Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. |
PROMISE: | "The Lord relented in the punishment He had threatened to inflict on His people." –Ex 32:14 |
PRAISE: | St. John gave up a life of privilege in order to minister to physically as well as spiritually impoverished boys.
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