Sometimes God is cast in an unfair light because of our fallen human nature. We can’t possibly comprehend that the God of the universe would still love us after everything we have done to turn our backs on Him. This is why many people live in despair or struggle with scrupulosity because they have not yet let one of the fundamental aspects of the faith sink in: mercy.
In today’s first reading the mercy of God is spelled out unequivocally. As long as we repent, none of our crimes will be remembered, and furthermore, God does not derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked. He wants us all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
The basic message of the Gospel can be summed up from the first paragraph of the Catechism, which states, “God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Savior. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life.” (CCC 1)
As beautiful as this verse is, it is hard to believe. Does He really want what is best for us? Does He really desire us to be happy with him forever? Often, we try to answer these questions without asking the One who has the answers. Lent is a beautiful time to start asking these questions directly to God.
During this time of penance, our sins come directly to mind and it can be easy to despair. Instead of getting down on ourselves, we can use this season to really converse with God about His plans for us and what He wants to do in our lives. If we start the conversation then we will start believing all the more that God does not rejoice in misery but rejoices in mercy. He wants us to be saved. All we have to do is repent and believe.
From all of us here at Diocesan, God bless!
A veces, Dios tiene mala fama debido a nuestra naturaleza humana caída. No podemos comprender que el Dios del universo todavía nos ame después de todo lo que hemos hecho para darle la espalda. Por eso, muchas personas viven en la desesperación o luchan con la escrupulosidad porque aún no han dejado que uno de los aspectos fundamentales de la fe se profundice: la misericordia.
En la primera lectura de hoy, la misericordia de Dios se expresa de manera inequívoca. Con que nos arrepintamos, ninguno de nuestros crímenes será recordado y, además, Dios no obtiene ningún placer de la muerte de los malvados. Él quiere que todos nos salvemos y lleguemos al conocimiento de la verdad.
El mensaje fundamental del Evangelio se puede resumir en el primer párrafo del Catecismo, que afirma: “Dios, infinitamente perfecto y bienaventurado en sí mismo, en un designio de pura bondad ha creado libremente al hombre para hacerle partícipe de su vida bienaventurada. Por eso, en todo tiempo y en todo lugar, se hace cercano del hombre: le llama y le ayuda a buscarle, a conocerle y a amarle con todas sus fuerzas. Convoca a todos los hombres, que el pecado dispersó, a la unidad de su familia, la Iglesia. Para lograrlo, llegada la plenitud de los tiempos, envió a su Hijo como Redentor y Salvador. En Él y por Él, llama a los hombres a ser, en el Espíritu Santo, sus hijos de adopción, y por tanto los herederos de su vida bienaventurada” (CIC 1).
Por muy hermoso que sea este versículo, es difícil de creer. ¿Realmente quiere Dios lo mejor para nosotros? ¿Realmente desea que seamos felices con Él para siempre? A menudo, tratamos de responder a estas preguntas sin preguntarle a Aquel que tiene las respuestas. La Cuaresma es un tiempo hermoso para comenzar a hacerle estas preguntas directamente a Dios.
Durante este tiempo de penitencia, nuestros pecados vienen directamente a la mente y puede ser fácil desesperarse. En lugar de desanimarnos, podemos utilizar esta temporada para conversar realmente con Dios sobre sus planes para nosotros y lo que Él quiere hacer en nuestras vidas. Si iniciamos la conversación, comenzaremos a creer aún más que Dios no se regocija en la miseria, sino que se regocija en la misericordia. Quiere que seamos salvos. Todo lo que tenemos que hacer es arrepentirnos y creer.
De parte de todos nosotros aquí en Diocesan, ¡Dios los bendiga!
Tommy Shultz is a Business Development Representative for Diocesan. In this role he is committed to bringing the best software to dioceses and parishes while helping them evangelize on the digital continent. Tommy has worked in various diocese and parish roles since his graduation from Franciscan University with a Theology degree. He hopes to use his skills in evangelization, marketing, and communications, to serve the Church and bring the Good News to all. His favorite quote comes from St. John Paul II, who said, “A person is an entity of a sort to which the only proper and adequate way to relate is love.”
Feature Image Credit: Alex Shute, unsplash.com/photos/a-wooden-block-that-says-repent-next-to-a-bouquet-of-flowers-RNKGabPGido
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
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