Febuary 21, 2005 - Monday - 2nd Week of Lent

The Sinner Seeks Forgiveness

Readings:
Dn 9:4-10; Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13; Lk 6:36-38

Introduction

Acknowledging sin, being sorry for it and seeking forgiveness is a reality that can only exist where there is genuine friendship and the awareness that this friendship has been hurt or even destroyed. Without friendship with God and with people, sin remains only a thing to be wiped off, sorrow is little more than a superficial regretting of something that should not have happened, and forgiveness is erasing the past. Sin, sorrow, pardon are to be seen in the light of the covenant relationship with a merciful God, who loved us first, and with our neighbor, with whom we are taken up in this union of life and love with God.

Opening Prayer

Just and holy God,
our loving Father,
you offered us your hand in friendship
and you sent us your Son Jesus
to go with us the road
of obedience and loyalty.
God, we often hurt this friendship,
we act as if we were not your sons and daughters.
See the look of shame on our faces.
Forgive us, for we count on you.
Accept our thanks
for continuing to take us as we are
and loving us notwithstanding our sins.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading: Dn 9:4-10

I prayed to Yahweh, my God, and made this confession: "Lord God, great and to be feared, you keep your Covenant and love for those who love you and observe your commandments. We have sinned, we have not been just, we have been rebels, and have turned away from your commandments and laws. We have not listened to your servants, the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, leaders, fathers and to all the people of the land.

Lord, justice is yours, but ours is a face full of shame, as it is to this day - we, the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the whole of Israel, near and far away, in all the lands where you have dispersed us because of the infidelity we have committed against you. Ours is the shame, O Lord for we, our kings, princes, fathers, have sinned against you. We hope for pardon and mercy from the Lord, because we have rebelled against him. We have not listened to the voice of Yahweh, our God, or followed the laws which he has given us through his servants, the prophets.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13

R (see 103:10a) Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.

Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
R Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.

Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name's sake.
R Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.

Let the prisoners' sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
R Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.

Gospel Reading: Lk 6:36-38

Jesus said to his disciples, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Don’t be a judge of others and you will not be judged; do not condemn and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven; give and it will be given to you, and you will receive in your sack good measure, pressed down, full and running over. For the measure you give will be the measure you receive back.”

 

Commentary

DANIEL'S prayer must be our own, as sinners before God the Holy One, asking mercy, knowing how greatly we all need it because of our disobedience of the law and our ignoring the cries of the prophets. We have rebelled against our God and our infidelities have created a world and a nation that is scattered, without unity, hope or a way to worship with integrity. We must learn to practice the mercy of God towards others that we have known all our lives. The measure we give: in judgment, in condemning others and in forgiving others as well as in giving generously to others is the measure we will know from the hand of Our Father. O Holy One of God, make us mindful of God's mercy upon us, keeping us from death and make us respond to others with mercy, without revenge, without violence, without hate and with forgiveness. O God, be merciful to us, your children who are sinners. Amen.

General Intercession

–   That each of us may have the courage to say, “Sorry, I am wrong, forgive me,” not only to God when we have sinned but also to people we have hurt, we pray:

–   That we may never gloss over any evil but voice our disapproval without condemning the wrongdoer, we pray:

–   That we may not pay back evil with evil but listen to the Spirit who wants us to pay back evil with good, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord our God, in this eucharist
your Son Jesus comes among us
to bring us your pardon and peace.
Remind us of what he went through for us,
that we may be converted to you
and be your holy people,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God,
your forgiving love is without measure.
May our hearts become as large as yours,
that we too may learn to forgive one another,
and stop from judging and condemning.
May we too take people as they are
and continue offering our friendship
even when it is abused,
by the strength of him
who has given himself to us in this eucharist,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Blessing

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Words to remember and to practice, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the holy Spirit.

 

---