ZACCHAUES is a gospel character whose
beautiful story (Lk
19,1-10) endears him to many of us. He actually typifies us who like
him also have our own defects and sins, and yet in spite of those,
continue to hold a deep admiration and love for God.
Our sinfulness, defects and errors should not separate us
from God. If anything at all, they should bring us closer to him,
assured that God’s mercy will never be lacking.
These two realities about our sinfulness and God’s mercy
always should go together. We should always strengthen our conviction
about the helpful relationship these two should have with each other
in our life.
Whenever we feel the sting of our weaknesses and
sinfulness, together with their antecedents and consequences, their
causes and effects, let’s never forget to consider also God’s mercy
that is always given to us, and, in fact, given to us abundantly.
What we have to avoid is to get stuck with one while
ignoring the other. Our sinfulness should be viewed in the context of
divine mercy. And vice-versa: God’s mercy should be regarded in the
context of our unavoidable sinfulness.
And from there, let us develop the unshakable conviction
that no matter what sins we commit, no matter how ugly they are, there
is always hope. God’s mercy can take on anything.
Let’s strengthen our conviction that Christ has a special
attraction to sinners, that he is ever willing to forgive us as long
as we show some signs of repentance that he himself, through his
grace, will stir in us.
Let’s play the part of Peter who, after denying Christ
three times, realized his mistake and wept bitterly in repentance.
Christ looked kindly on him and forgave him and even made him the
prince of the apostles.
Let’s avoid playing the part of Cain and Judas who, after
committing their crimes, ran away instead of going back to God
repentant. Of course, in saying this, I am not at all judging that
they are in hell. That judgment belongs to God alone.
We just have to make sure that we do not get spoiled by
God abundant mercy, because even if his love and mercy is eternal, his
justice is never sacrificed. His mercy and justice always go together,
in proportions, if we have to speak in human terms, that are just
right.
That divine justice unleashes its power precisely when
with all the infinite goodness of God, we fail to return good with
good, love with love. Instead, we allow ourselves to get spoiled.
Let’s not forget that getting spoiled is a human choice.
It’s not part of God’s plan and will for us. But since our freedom is
a real freedom, and not just an imitation, we also have the power to
return good with evil, love with hatred.
It’s important therefore that we realize very deeply that
our true freedom is when it is lived with God, not outside of him. It
is lived when, instead of fleeing from him like a fugitive when we
commit sin, we go to him to ask for forgiveness and change our life.
Let us also hope that God’s mercy would rub off on us too.
We have to learn to be forgiving, because Christ clearly told us that
it is when we forgive others that we ourselves can also be forgiven.
“If you will forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father will
forgive you also your offences. But if you will not forgive men,
neither will your Father forgive you your offences.” (Mt 6,14-15)
We have to be clear that his injunction is meant for
everyone, and not only for a few whom we may consider to be
religiously inclined. That’s why when asked how many times we should
forgive, he said not only seven times, but seventy times seven,
meaning always.
That’s also why he easily forgave the woman caught in
adultery. And to those whom he cured of their illnesses, it was
actually the forgiveness of their sins that he was more interested in.
To top it all, Christ allowed himself to die on the cross
as a way to forgive all of our sins, and to convert our sins through
his resurrection as a way to our own redemption. What he did for us he
also expects, nay, commands that we also do for everybody else.
How beautiful our world would be if we can transmit the very mercy of
God to one another! Let’s be ever hopeful and train ourselves to be
merciful like God.
19,1-10) endears him to many of us. He actually typifies us who like
him also have our own defects and sins, and yet in spite of those,
continue to hold a deep admiration and love for God.
Our sinfulness, defects and errors should not separate us
from God. If anything at all, they should bring us closer to him,
assured that God’s mercy will never be lacking.
These two realities about our sinfulness and God’s mercy
always should go together. We should always strengthen our conviction
about the helpful relationship these two should have with each other
in our life.
Whenever we feel the sting of our weaknesses and
sinfulness, together with their antecedents and consequences, their
causes and effects, let’s never forget to consider also God’s mercy
that is always given to us, and, in fact, given to us abundantly.
What we have to avoid is to get stuck with one while
ignoring the other. Our sinfulness should be viewed in the context of
divine mercy. And vice-versa: God’s mercy should be regarded in the
context of our unavoidable sinfulness.
And from there, let us develop the unshakable conviction
that no matter what sins we commit, no matter how ugly they are, there
is always hope. God’s mercy can take on anything.
Let’s strengthen our conviction that Christ has a special
attraction to sinners, that he is ever willing to forgive us as long
as we show some signs of repentance that he himself, through his
grace, will stir in us.
Let’s play the part of Peter who, after denying Christ
three times, realized his mistake and wept bitterly in repentance.
Christ looked kindly on him and forgave him and even made him the
prince of the apostles.
Let’s avoid playing the part of Cain and Judas who, after
committing their crimes, ran away instead of going back to God
repentant. Of course, in saying this, I am not at all judging that
they are in hell. That judgment belongs to God alone.
We just have to make sure that we do not get spoiled by
God abundant mercy, because even if his love and mercy is eternal, his
justice is never sacrificed. His mercy and justice always go together,
in proportions, if we have to speak in human terms, that are just
right.
That divine justice unleashes its power precisely when
with all the infinite goodness of God, we fail to return good with
good, love with love. Instead, we allow ourselves to get spoiled.
Let’s not forget that getting spoiled is a human choice.
It’s not part of God’s plan and will for us. But since our freedom is
a real freedom, and not just an imitation, we also have the power to
return good with evil, love with hatred.
It’s important therefore that we realize very deeply that
our true freedom is when it is lived with God, not outside of him. It
is lived when, instead of fleeing from him like a fugitive when we
commit sin, we go to him to ask for forgiveness and change our life.
Let us also hope that God’s mercy would rub off on us too.
We have to learn to be forgiving, because Christ clearly told us that
it is when we forgive others that we ourselves can also be forgiven.
“If you will forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father will
forgive you also your offences. But if you will not forgive men,
neither will your Father forgive you your offences.” (Mt 6,14-15)
We have to be clear that his injunction is meant for
everyone, and not only for a few whom we may consider to be
religiously inclined. That’s why when asked how many times we should
forgive, he said not only seven times, but seventy times seven,
meaning always.
That’s also why he easily forgave the woman caught in
adultery. And to those whom he cured of their illnesses, it was
actually the forgiveness of their sins that he was more interested in.
To top it all, Christ allowed himself to die on the cross
as a way to forgive all of our sins, and to convert our sins through
his resurrection as a way to our own redemption. What he did for us he
also expects, nay, commands that we also do for everybody else.
How beautiful our world would be if we can transmit the very mercy of
God to one another! Let’s be ever hopeful and train ourselves to be
merciful like God.
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