LORD, HAVE MERCY

Titus 3:1-15

St Paul writes that God “saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (v. 5).

In The Message version of the Bible, part of verse 7 is translated thus: “God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives.” Interesting way of translating the idea of ‘justification by grace’ (as translated in the New International Version). Beyond all the talk of sins and forgiveness and debt settlement (as if God is the cosmic loan shark), perhaps the truth about God’s mercy is that it is the means by which we finally find ourselves.

Earlier we discussed how we are defined by our deeds. But there is some point where even all the best and most meaningful deeds cannot fully define us. St Augustine wrote, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.” It is about God; about running to the edge of the beach and finding that a whole new world awaits in the ocean and daring to take the plunge and jumping into the unknown.

And entrusting yourself to God’s mercy. Entrusting yourself into the hands of the Almighty. And trusting that He won’t let you drown.

Reflection:

Read Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 23:35-43. What do these passages tell us about God’s mercy? Why did the centurion say, “I too am a man under authority”?

Action:

Think of how you can trust God more, and work towards it.