It is 09th March 2016. The readings are from Isaiah 49:8-15; and the Gospel from John 5:17-30. The first readings is the second Song of the Suffering Servant of God. God assures us the unwavering support and warmth of love through Jesus. “Does a woman forget her baby at the breast or fail to cherish the son of her womb? Yet even if these forget, I will never forget you.” (Is.49:15). God’s love is supremely tender as that of mother’s love. The responsorial Psalm praises, “The Lord is kind and full of compassion.” (Ps.144:8). In the Gospel, we encounter Jesus, who claims that God as His Father. Jesus wants us to do good whenever there is an opportunity, even it is a public holiday. Jesus reveals His special relationship with God and inviting us to believe God through Him. In response to the claims of Jesus, the Pharisees had left with only two choices: either to believe Jesus as the Son of God or to accuse Him to death. They chose to accuse Him. Jesus is our judge. While we are living on earth as believers, we must make every effort to do good no matter what we face personally. We need to do what pleases God. As we have the privilege to enjoy on earth with all the wealth ignoring the poor and the oppressed, we will have to face Jesus one day in judgement. There is no compromises with Jesus on the day of judgement. It is time to be serving, forgiving, loving, and giving as much as we can. When was the last time we ever went for a good confession? We need to experience mercy when it is freely offered in the Sacrament of Mercy. It will be too late at our death bed to seek for mercy while we neglected to be merciful when we lived. “By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgement is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me.” (Jn.5:30). Jesus, be merciful to us when you judge us. May you have a good day.