Psalm Reflection: The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle A

“The Lord is kind and merciful.” - Psalm 103

When I think of the words “kind” and “merciful,” I cannot help but think of parenting. On a daily basis I have to exercise kindness and mercy. I need the patience to not be quick to judge or punish when my children do things they are not supposed to do. 

I am the first father they will consciously be aware of, and I want to be the best, though imperfect, example of God the Father I can be for them. God is a much better parent than I am, because no matter how far we turn away or how many rules we break, He is kind and merciful.

The only caveat is that we have to come to Him in order to receive His kindness and mercy. 

If my children break a rule or do something wrong, they usually respond one of two ways: they either collapse into a tantrum, running off somewhere they can hide and I have to go to them, or they immediately come to me and collapse into my arms. Either way, we are eventually together and they eventually apologize. 

In both scenarios, they cannot receive my kindness, love and forgiveness until we come together. They need to admit what they have done wrong and apologize before they are ready and able to receive that I have for them. 

The same thing is true for us and God. When we fall into sin, we can either run away from God, or come back to Him in repentance. Either way, He meets us there and wants to extend us His kindness and mercy, but we will not be able to receive it until we repent.

When do I want my children to come to me for forgiveness? Of course, I want them to know that they always can, but I also do not want them to think they are so bad they have to be extra hard on themselves and carry every little mistake they make on their little shoulders. There are some things I want them to eventually have the maturity to realize or work through themselves.

I think the same is true with God. We know when we seriously mess up and need to be reconciled to Him. However, there are a lot of other small transgressions or vices we can work on without falling into scrupulosity, shame, guilt or despair. God does not want His children to feel like we are constantly messing up and not good enough for His kindness and mercy. God has an even more intimate knowledge and awareness of our sins, and yet He still found us worthy to die for. He wanted to come to us, in our mess, whether we desire Him or run away, so that we could be reconciled.

He found you worth dying for (Romans 5:7-8).

He sees infinite value and dignity in you (Genesis 1:26-27).

He desires to give you His kindness and mercy even when you will not give it to yourself (Romans 3:23-24), because you are His child (1 John 3:1).

So, give yourself a break. As long as we make a regular habit of coming to the Lord to be reconciled, we do not need to get hung up on every little thing we do unless it is obvious we are in a state of serious sin. Even if that is the case, His mercy and kindness are still ready and waiting for us. 

Every sin that every person has ever committed and will ever commit are collectively a drop of water compared to the ocean of God’s mercy. 

Let yourself receive His mercy and kindness this week. If you do not have a regular habit of confession. Start one this week. Consider adding to that some consistent community and accountability, either through faithful friends or even a spiritual director. These consistent, divine “touch points” in our lives can allow us to experience the kindness and mercy of God more frequently.

I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt