An opportunity to learn about God’s mercy and love

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

A reflection on the daily readings, for Wednesday of the First Week of Lent, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

+ Wow! A story about our immutable, unchangeable God who is incapable of changing since he is eternally perfect.

God changed his mind, repenting of evil (our God doing evil?). He was planning to do it, but then changed his immutable mind.

Well, I guess the operative word is story.

And, obviously a teaching story accounting for the absolute need for us wee little beings to change our ways — especially of sin and evil deeds — to make things right, and to benefit from good living and grace-filled living.

This story has much to teach us and gives us much opportunity to learn.

And we won’t even talk about the hungry whale eating — but not very successfully — the morsel of food which was Jonah; then distastefully depositing him on the shore of the city of Nineveh.

What a story, indeed.

+ Then we get Jesus referencing this story of Jonah, and focusing sharply on the contrition and repentance of the people of Nineveh.

Jonah was the sign that called people to repentance.

And Jesus focused their eyes on him as the new sign and the greater sign, as he said so eloquently about the people of Nineveh —

“At the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

But the heart of the word today is the beautiful Psalm 51.

How trustingly, affectionately, and confidently the author turns to God asking for and totally confident that God will indeed show mercy and love —

“Have mercy on me … wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me of my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.”

“A clean heart create for me,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.”

“… A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.”