Lenten Reflection Day 30: Psalm 106:20

Listen to audio here: https://anchor.fm/simplediakonia/episodes/Lenten-Reflection-Day-30-Psalm-10620-estd52

“They exchanged their glory for the image of a grass-eating bull.” (Psalm 106:20)

Reflection

When our desires become our master, we lose our identity. We walk not under the light of life but within the snare of darkness. Then, as we wander without a clear sense of who we are, we make for ourselves gods to fill the empty spaces we created.

The good news is that God is patient and merciful. Lent is our opportunity to experience his glory.

Today’s Intention

Jesus, we ask for your mercy this Lenten season. Teach us through the grace of the Holy Spirit to recognize all the glory God has bestowed upon us.

Peace and Goodness

Lenten Reflection Day 18: Psalm 103:12

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“As far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our sins from us.” (Psalm 103:12)

Reflection

It is foolish to try to measure God’s mercy. The effects of Jesus’ sacrifice of compassion on the cross are boundless. God the Father and God the Son desire to forgive us. They wish to bless us with their love through God the Holy Spirit.

During this Lent, let us reject the lies that tell us that we are undeserving of Jesus’ love and mercy.

Today’s Intention

Lord, help us to seek your forgiveness. May we bathe in the waters of reconciliation this Lenten season.

Peace and Goodness

Lenten Reflection Day 13: Luke 6:36 (updated)

Listen here: https://anchor.fm/simplediakonia/episodes/Lenten-Reflection-Day-13-Luke-636-er90vg

“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36-RSV)

Reflection

Many of us have been fasting unaware before Lent. We have been on the fasting from mercy. The waitress forgot our order; we immediately complain about it. A teammate did a poor presentation. We think of them as incapable. Our spouse or child had a difficult day; we do not care. The list goes on.

During this Lent, let us practice fasting from mercilessness. Let us give almsgiving to the strangers, those with collaborate, and our loved ones.

Today’s Intention

Lord Jesus, we cannot expect mercy when we are merciless ourselves. We ask you to send the Holy Spirit to teach us to be merciful towards others as your Father is merciful towards us.

Peace and Goodness

The Odor of Mercy

I love when my wife wears perfume; it delights my heart. The same is true when I witness people doing acts of mercy. The odor they radiate is irresistible. I greatly enjoy being near a person of mercy because their fragrant is what gives the world the odor of Christ.

The odor of mercy flows from our hearts to lavish those in need. It is the odor with which Mother Teresa sustained the poor in the slums of India. It is the odor St. Damien of Molokai emitted when caring for the lepers. It is the odor which overcame death when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

The odor of mercy is what gives the world its charity; it is what gives humanity comfort and hope. It is the odor that moves us to care for the abandoned, the poor, and the infirm. It is the odor that soothes suffering, sorrow, and bleakness.

Without the odor of mercy, our hearts become like rocks; unresponsive to injustice, intolerance, and hate. Without the odor of mercy we fail to witness Christ‘s full glory in us and through us in others.

May the odor of mercy spring from us always.

God, I give my heart to you this day; may you will it to please you.