Mon March 14, 2022

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Today's readings remind me that everyone needs repentance. In the first reading (Dan 9:4b-10), the righteous young Daniel is repenting for the sins of his people. They have been taken from Jerusalem to live as captives, exiles and servants to the citizens of Babylon, and will remain there for seventy years. Daniel understands what has happened. The prophet Jeremiah warned Jerusalem this would take place if they did not change their ways. Everything God promised through Moses would come to pass: faithfulness to the Covenant would bring blessings; forsaking God's ways would bring disaster upon the nation, and so it did.

The temptation in times of social decay is to blame someone besides ourselves for society's problems – to begin finger-pointing at other groups, to slander, insult, belittle and demonize. Daniel takes the righteous path; he repents and prays. Today's psalm response (Ps 79) provides us with a model for navigating with sincere repentance through times such as these:
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
Help us, O God our Saviour, because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins for your name’s sake.
Jesus is clear about judging and blaming.(Lk 6:36-38) These only bring judgment and condemnation upon ourselves. When we treat others with mercy and forgiveness, blessings will follow:

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

Lord, help me to understand these times in the light of Your wisdom. Give me the humility to repent for my share in the sin of my nation. Keep my heart from falling into the trap of judging and condemning. Incline my heart toward mercy, that I may walk as Your true child and heir to the blessings You promise in Christ Jesus. I make this prayer to You in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Link to readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031422.cfm 

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