Stock Photo Canva
By Julie Lemoine
In the first reading from the book of Joshua, we see hope. The Lord takes away the disgrace of Egypt. The children no longer had manna to eat but had crops of the land of Canaan. Jesus gives abundantly through joy, peace, love, and mercy.
The psalmist this week proclaims that the Lord is good. Hoping is blessing the Lord at all times. The Lord answers our prayers and delivers us from fears and trouble.
St. Paul, writing to the Corinthians, defines hope as new life. In Christ, there is new creation. This is from God who reconciled us, gave his life for us, to free us from sins. As ambassadors for Christ, being Christ-like brings hope to the world. We reflect Christ through us, as we have been created in His image. We are to love our neighbours unconditionally, be merciful, joyful, bring peace and live in communion and fraternity. As ambassadors for Christ, we are one Body of Christ.
The Gospel of Luke brings this together, where hope is demonstrated in God’s unconditional love, which is full of mercy and forgiveness. We have been given freedom, freedom to follow God at all times. At times, just as the prodigal son, we wander away from God, living life our way. We then realize that we need God’s guidance, light, love, peace, joy, happiness, and mercy. We can always come back to God, as He is always welcoming, slow to anger, and full of mercy and love. When we ask for God’s forgiveness and mercy, we are cleansed and renewed to a new life that we celebrate together.
My personal experience going to the celebration of reconciliation is that after God’s forgiveness, I feel a huge weight off my shoulders, a breath of fresh air.
Lord, thank you for your abundant love, peace, joy, happiness, and mercy. You invite us to a new life each day. Help us to be ambassadors of Christ through our thoughts, words and actions. Help us to love our neighbours with mercy, just as you love us. Amen
