Saturday after Ash Wednesday – Is 58:9-14; Psalm 85:1-6; Luke 5:27-32
If one were to gather words of hope for life’s most challenging moments, surely these would deserve a cherished place among them: “And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Isn’t this what we all yearn for – a deep and abiding peace, the favour of blessings, and the joy of a life made whole?
The language of the liturgy often speaks in enduring promises – promises that are not fleeting or superficial but steadfast and true. They are not mere poetry to soothe the ears; they are words you can lean on, anchors for the soul. In those moments when we find ourselves shattered, humiliated, and crushed beneath the weight of this world, it is exactly there that we encounter a God who loves beyond all human comprehension. He sees us, cherishes us, and calls us beloved – even in our brokenness, even when our weakness seems all-consuming.
Sometimes, the beauty of a “successful” spiritual journey – whether it’s a fruitful Lent, a meaningful fast, or a season of renewal – isn’t in unwaveringly meeting every goal or perfectly fulfilling every intention. No, often it lies in something far more profound: it’s the courage to step across an invisible threshold. It’s the quiet, daring act of standing stripped of all pretence before the God who knows us utterly – every shadow, every hidden wound, every flicker of light within. And there, in that tender, vulnerable space, is where grace abounds. Let’s not fear that moment, for it is precisely there that we encounter the fullness of divine love.
A Call for Reflection
Are we able to surrender our sin, to entrust ourselves wholly to God? Do we truly open our hearts to His transformative mercy?
Walking the Path of the Saints
Abba Elias the Deacon once proclaimed: “What harm can sin do where there is repentance? And what benefit is love where pride abides?”
In these few words lies a deep truth – sin need not be the end of the journey when the soul cries out in sincere repentance. True healing begins when we lay down our pride and become vulnerable before the One who restores us.