March 18 2006

Mic 7:14-15, 18-20 Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance,That dwells apart in a woodland, in the midst of Carmel. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old; As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt, show us wonderful signs. Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, And will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins; You will show faithfulness to Jacob, and grace to Abraham, As you have sworn to our fathers from days of old.
The Gospel reading today is the story of the Prodigal Son. The first reading above also tells of the goodness of God the Creator, Father. The Father who will forgive all sins and delight in showing loving and mercy. God has taken me from the hardships of a slavery to sin, my Egypt, and shepherded me to a land of promise, the land of Abraham. It has been a goodness and grace to journey in my life with the presence and mercy of God with me. I rejoice in the gifts and graces that undeserved have been graciously bestowed upon me. The journey through this world is a trip of trials and tribulations but always with the goodness of God reaching out to me again and again to lead me to the promised land. My heart is filled with gratitiude and joy today and I thank God for the gift of presence and faith.