tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838698329757338280.post7777588210622408394..comments2017-12-01T10:52:19.431-08:00Comments on Sunday Bible Study by ParishWorld.net: "But I tell you, if you do not repent."Editor @ Parishworld.nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11351018547370080019noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838698329757338280.post-49192422145107698892013-02-28T13:03:21.779-08:002013-02-28T13:03:21.779-08:00“As the heavens tower over the
earth, so God's...“As the heavens tower over the<br />earth, so God's mercy towers <br />over those who fear Him.”<br /><br />Our psalmist sings the praises <br />of a divine and loving God, <br />who surrounds us with compassion, <br />pardons our sins, heals our ills.<br /><br />God will deliver us as He delivered <br />the Israelites from their affliction <br />at the hands of the Egyptians (1st reading).<br />“God delivers your life from the pit,<br />surrounds you with love and compassion.”<br /><br />God nurses no lasting anger; He has <br />not dealt with us as our sins deserve.<br />But God demands something of us <br />in return – that we cleanse ourselves <br />from evil desires and avoid sin.<br />St. Paul warns us, “Whoever thinks <br />he is standing secure should take care<br />not to fall.” (2nd reading). Jesus says <br />it more powerfully in today's Gospel,<br />“If you do not repent, you will all perish.”<br /><br />The Lord’s patience with us is a gift –<br />“Merciful and gracious is the Lord,<br />slow to anger, abounding in kindness.”<br />Our duty is to remain faithful to the Lord, <br />as His children, and to treat His anointed ones <br />with love and compassion, as He would do.<br /><br />We are to be merciful to our enemies by <br />imitating Jesus. Who can love their enemies, <br />and do good to them? It will be difficult if <br />we allow our earthly nature to rule us.<br />Just as “God has not dealt with us as our <br />sins merit,” so must we have compassion <br />on those we may be inclined to condemn.<br /><br />We cannot imitate God without a share <br />in Christ’s divinity, by allowing the Holy <br />Spirit within us to guide us. Only then <br />will we have the kind of compassion the <br />Psalm speaks about.<br /><br />And as our psalmist says, God’s love will <br />tower over us if we are his faithful.<br />If we love the Lord, it will show in our hearts,<br />and the old things will then pass away. <br />What could be a better lesson for our <br />Lenten journey.<br /><br />Amen<br /><br />Barry Lamontnoreply@blogger.com