Septuagesima 2017

Mercy always seems like a ridiculous gift.  That is, it seems ridiculous to the person who is watching someone else receive it.  Unless you’re the one receiving the mercy, it’s a waste, nonsensical, a display of the giver’s ignorance, and any number of other bitter replies.  We’re glad to be merciful for a little bit, but it has its limits.  This is what lies at the center of the Readings for today, and what characterizes these three weeks preceding Lent.  We can never understand the depths of God’s mercy because our eye is evil, that is, sin has clouded our judgment and on this side of eternity we can never fully comprehend our merciful God.

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