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Psalm 130, also known as a “Penitential Psalm”, begins, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.” This ties together the first reading from Genesis when we hear that Adam is blaming Eve and Eve is blaming the serpent for eating the fruit from the forbidden tree and the Gospel reading from Mark 3:24 where Jesus says “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.”
Sin always looks good on the outside, Satan works hard at making our desire to turn from God worthwhile. The moment we turn from God, take that step towards sin, we know within our inner being that we have sinned. You know what, in his mercy, God wants us to turn back to Him. In turning back to God we (only?) have to acknowledge our sinfulness. God isn’t concerned with the sin, God is full of love, mercy and compassion. In turning back we are acknowledging our fault/s, we become aware of how easily swayed we can be, and to have the desire to learn from the experience/s. This ultimately leads us to have understanding and compassion for others.
Our world is full of divisions, look at Israel, Gaza, Russia & Ukraine and in Australia with homelessness and Domestic Violence (to name a few), and we too, within ourselves, are divided. We are pulled in opposite directions - light and darkness, good and evil. Jesus came to reconcile us to the Father and to each other. 3 weeks ago, we celebrated Pentecost Sunday. We were reminded again how each of us received the gifts of the Holy Spirit at Confirmation. These gifts cannot be displayed on a shelf or locked in a cupboard, they are to be used in our communities to show our love for one another and for our heavenly Father, that we are here for each other and to become a spiritual family.
In times of trouble or distress, we know we can turn to our God for his mercy and compassion, Psalm 130, v 7 says, “For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and …. great power to redeem.” When we do this, we are also reminded of others who are crying out for God’s mercy, that we are His hands, and feet, and eyes, and heart and voice. If we want God’s kingdom to survive, we too, must forgive, show mercy, be understanding, full of faithfulness, courage, and compassion and be the face of LOVE and our Triune God.
God is good, God is good indeed.
