Welcome
Missionaries of Merciful Love
"I have come to cast fire on the earth"
Day Four
Psalm 103:6-18
The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust. As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
Reflection
The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. To fear God does not mean to view him as a tyrant, but rather to hold God in great honour above all else. To fear God is to love him. When God forgives, it is forever. He will not hold our sins against us when we come before him and confess them. He is compassionate, a tender Father to all his children.
We know that we fear God when we resist sin and keep his commandments. Jesus said, "If you love me keep my words (commandments)." Every day we make many choices. Some are not that important, such as what colour shirt to wear. Others, however, are very important: what tv shows should I (or my children) watch? What kind of people do I want to share my life with? Where do I spend my money? How can I serve God and the church?
It goes without saying that in order to fear God and keep his commandments we need to know what they are. Thus, we need to read the word of God and ponder it in our hearts, just like Mary the mother of Jesus did when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to her with the news that she was to be the mother of God's Son.
Prayer
God of mercy and compassion, I come before you this day confessing my sins, but trusting in your eagerness to forgive me. Pour forth your spirit into my heart and help me to always live for you and be a good witness to your Son Jesus.
Amen
Divine Mercy image copyright The Marians.
Used with permission. .
