Meditation
for Monday of the second week of Lent
(Dan
9:4-10; Lk 6:36-38)
We begin our Lenten journey on this day with the humble and
contrite prayer of Daniel. In this prayer, he acknowledged God’s greatness, and
extoled Him as one who keeps covenant and shows merciful love to those who love
Him and keep His commandments. Then Daniel began to confess their sins,
acknowledging that they had turned away from God’s commandments, and turned
deaf ear to the warning of the prophets. He prayed thus: “To you, O Lord,
belongs righteousness, but to us confusion of face…” This was because of the
treachery which the people committed against God. However, Daniel acknowledged
that it belongs to show mercy and forgiveness.
Such an honest and humble confession is part of what is
expected of us this Lenten season. At the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we come
before God, who is rich in merciful love and forgiveness. At the same time,
acknowledge our sins and apply ourselves to God’s mercy.
As we receive mercy from God, we internalize the experience
and show me to others. Jesus said, “Be merciful, even as your Father is
merciful.” The mercy and forgiveness of God, which is communicated to us in a
concrete way through the Sacrament of Confession, becomes our life journey as
we forgive those who sinned against us. “Forgive, and you will be forgiven…for
the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” The way we forgive
others will indicate the extent we have assimilated the Lenten observances.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Monday March 6th, 2023.
13th Lenten Meditation
