Renewed in God's mercy.

CHANGE OF HEART AND DIVINE MERCY

Divine Mercy

One of the many temptations in Lent (and also during the year) is to be so 'impressed' and overwhelmed by our sins and weaknesses and failings that we become stuck in a paralysing guilt, a guilt that leads us to an unhealthy introspection, instead of directing our eyes to God. This form of guilt results in being an idol and a form of pride.

Lent provides us with the opportunity to break down this idol (and any others also) and to direct our focus and attention to our loving God.  We need to consider Peter and Judas' response to God's mercy and decide

• whether we follow the same pattern as Judas, who was so overwhelmed by his sin, that he could not believe in God's mercy any longer or 
• do we follow the same pattern as Peter, who returned to the Lord with repentance and cried bitterly for his sins? 

 The Church provides us with the beautiful sacrament of penance/reconciliation by which we can access God's mercy and be renewed.

Jesus does not speak about a change of activities, a change of contracts or even a change of pace.  He speaks about a change of heart, which makes everything different, although everything appears to remain the same.

Jesus wants us to live in our many faceted worlds rather than leave it, but firmly rooted in the centre of all things.

Jesus asks us to move our hearts to the centre, where all things fall into place since scripture tells us:

' Set your hearts on His kingdom first, 

and all thing others things will be given you as well'.