What’s God’s standard of mercy? In other words, what are the ground rules when we sin against God and one another? If we’re interested in making it to Heaven, that’s a really important question; one that God answers in today’s reading from Ezekiel and the Gospel of Matthew.
Turn Your Life Around
In the first reading, God makes it clear that “If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he’s committed … if he keeps my (God’s) statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live … none of the crime he committed shall be remembered against him … (and) he shall live…”
And just to drive the point home, God asks, “Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked? Do I not rather rejoice when he turns away from his evil way that he may live?” That’s the hope for all of us who fall short of God’s way.
But there’s also a warning for the virtuous who goes astray and does evil but does not repent. This is a caution against presumption; the temptation that we’ve banked away enough good deeds, Masses attended, and Rosaries said to avoid God’s just judgment should we not seek His forgiveness and return to living good and holy lives.
But That’s Not Fair
Admittedly, it’s a temptation to say what’s in the first reading, the Lord’s way is not fair when people who’ve committed many sins for many years are given the same chance to get to Heaven if they repent, go to Confession, and change their lives. How can that be fair for the ones who’ve been trying hard to do the right thing for their whole lives? It seems like starting the race in the last mile after all the other runners have put in the hard work over the first twenty-five miles.
Well, it’s a bit like the story of the prodigal son. First, a life of sin over many years is not a life of joy and fulfillment. No matter what it looks like, at best, it’s a series of short-term gratification followed by embarrassment and loneliness. God has made us in His own image for good and holiness. And yes, it is hard many times to go against the world’s and, at times, our own cravings. But that is part of the journey and the growth and the sacrificial love in imitation of Jesus that we are made for.
Applying Jesus' Standard of Mercy
Finally, in the gospel, Jesus reminds us that His standard of mercy is to be applied to our forgiveness of others. Jesus calls us to put away our anger for one another and the harsh words that damage our relationships.
Jesus calls us to examine our consciences, and if we recall anything that someone is holding against us, that we seek reconciliation with them.
My brothers and sisters, in a special way this Lent, let us follow the example of today's Saint, St. Polycarp, who said, “… let us stand fast and follow the example of the Lord … helping each other … despising no one.”
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