The compassionate One

Making myself aware of God's mercy

The above refrain is proclaimed twenty-six times in Psalm 136 in honor of God's mercy.
I used to wonder why one phrase was continually repeated until I realized that the psalmist was emphasing the endlessness of God's mercy by the constant repetition.
The recurring praise of God's mercy is a valuable reminder of the countless times the Holy One has welcomed us back after we have wandered and fallen from the path of goodness.
The repeating also serves to convince us that God's mercy will continually be available to us whenever we turn toward the Enduring Love and ask forgiveness for our failings.

I suggest that each of us reflect back on the mistakes, deliberate wrongdoings, poor judgments and decisions we have made that have hurt ourselves and others. Especially our addictions to sex and selfish desires alone or with others.
After each item that we recall,we can then say "For your mercy endures forever."
By doing so, we will see that our whole life consists of a psalm praising the mercy and kindness of God, extended to us at every moment.
The litany of mercy can be a powerful experience for anyone who doubts that they are eternally embraced in the Divine Forgiver's arms.

Compassionate One, may the mercy you daily offer me be an incentive to also extend kindness and forgiveness to those who have wronged or failed me.

Last Sunday's gospel by Luke tells us about the sinful woman in the city who brought a alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind Jesus at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and anointed them with the ointment.

Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Your faith has served you; go in peace."

The Pharisee was scandilized thinking that Jesus did not know who this woman was.

Jesus told Simon about the two people who were in debt.

One owed owed 500 days wages and the other owed 50. They were not able to pay their debt. They were both forgiven.

Jesus asked which one will love him more. And Simon said the one who owes the most.

Jesus told Simon that he was correct. How fortnnate that we have a Compassionate Jesus who has forgiven us so many times in our daily lives. He knows our failings and also our good intentions. But also knows our human failures.

We are so fortunate to have the sacrament of confession and to receive the graces that we need to continue our journey in our lives.

Let us be aware of this in our own personal lives and not to use people for selfish reasons but to have respect and compassion on each one that we meet today in our lives.

Frank