Gracious And Merciful

Thus says the LORD: In a time of favor I answer you, on the day of salvation I help you; and I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people to restore the land and allot the desolate heritages, saying to the prisoners: “Come out! To those in darkness: Show yourselves!”

Along the ways they shall find pasture, on every bare height shall their pastures be. They shall not hunger or thirst, nor shall the scorching wind or the sun strike them. For he who pities them leads them and guides them beside springs of water. I will cut a road through all my mountains and make my highways level. See, some shall come from afar, others from the north and the west, and some from the land of Syene. Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth, break forth into song, you mountains. For the LORD comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted. 

But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me." Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. (Isaiah 49:8-15)

This reading is followed by Psalm 145 (8-9, 13-14, 17-18)

R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.

The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness.

The LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his works.

R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.

The LORD is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works. 

The LORD lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.

The LORD is just in all his ways and holy in all his works.

The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.

Hear the Lord shout at us: “Come out! To you in darkness: Show yourself!”  This Lent do we come out of our darkness, sadness, and depression because we feel the LORD will comfort us and show mercy to us, his afflicted?  Our psalm says the LORD is gracious and merciful.  Does this understanding help us in our times of distress?  When we call upon him, is he near?  Many of us wonder.  

Do we feel like Zion that said, "The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me?"  Many of us believe so because our troubles are so overwhelming.  Perhaps today’s Gospel from John will be comforting: “…the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.”  In other words, even if we feel as if we are in dark tombs, there is hope.  However, according to John assumed to be quoting Jesus, that hope is contingent on our good deeds giving us resurrection of life, not resurrection of condemnation.  

If we want more assurance that we won’t be forgotten, good deeds are the way. Nevertheless, even if we fail in that regard, we are encouraged that the LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his works.  We are his flawed works needing to "Pay it Forward."  Thanks be to God.

Deacon David Pierce