Monday prior to Lent 2

 

Psalm 115:11-13; antiphon, Psalm 25:6

The Introit for the Second Sunday in Lent sets the theme for the day: Lent is a time of suffering as the way of the cross often involves suffering for the Christian.  In the midst of our suffering, we cry out with the Psalmist as the antiphon suggests, “Remember Your mercy O Lord, and Your steadfast love. We ask the Father to look at us through His eye of mercy as He remembers the work of Christ our Savior.

The LORD through the prophet Malachi teaches, “I am the Lord I do not change.” This is comforting news for us. Past mercies form a ground for the expectation of future blessings. God's character cannot change; his action as one time will always be consistent and harmonious with his action at another. If he has been kind and merciful to David in the past, David may count on his continuing the same in the future. For they have been ever of old. Not lately only, or to David only, have his mercies been shown, but through all past time, to all his servants.[1]

Justice protects the innocent, who may safely appeal to it for defense or redress. But for the guilty nothing remains but to trust in mercy. Trusting in mercy always implies a deep, heartfelt conviction of personal guilt. Trust this God of mercy whom for your sake sent his only son to become the atoning sacrifice for your sin.

Collect for Psalm 115: Lord God, creator and ruler of the universe, you have entrusted the care the earth to its people. Grant that your children surrounded by sings of your presence may live continually in Christ, praising you through him and with him, now and forever.[2]

 

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[1]Pulpit Commentary, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/25-6.htm

[2] Collect for Psalm 115, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and by the Church Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Illustration  “The Crucifixion” from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, Das Buch der Bücher in Bilden (The Book of Books in Pictures)