It is 24th February 2021.
The readings are from Jonah 3:1-10; and the Gospel from Luke 11:29-32.
Having reflected about prayer, we are invited to focus on penance and God’s mercy enveloped in forgiveness.
It is indeed time to return to the Lord. Returning physically, emotionally and spiritually. We need to come back to God, come back to our life-giving relationships and enlivening our bonds with the community.
God never wishes punishing and perishing anyone but God offers umpteen times to return. The people of Nineveh were reprimanded by the prophet to return to the Lord.
“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.” (Jonah 3:10). It is not about accelerated pious activities during the Lent that pleases God but what we do to the welfare of others and concrete activities that make the lives of others better. Our proof of repentance is our charity we do even amidst the most challenging and hard times like this.
It frustrates God when God’s people are not ready to leave their evil inclinations, and attachments to sins due to a cool and indifferent familiarity with God while those who are far from God are willing to return to the Lord willingly.
With God there is so much mercy and forgiveness and so we need to look at things objectively and gratefully. Even though things look so bleak and gloomy around us, yet we can all have the courage to see something good in others. “And see, something greater than Jonah is here!” (Lk.11:32).
The ocean of mercy and forgiveness of God is larger than the sins. Hence we need to humble ourselves so as to enjoy the blessings of God. Have a lovely day. God bless you.a