R1 Ezekiel 18:21–28

In today’s R1, God seemed to speak in defence of Himself to clarify our thoughts and judgement of His mercy towards sinners and evildoers. God said: “If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced.” Jesus concretely demonstrated this mercy when He said to the criminal, who is commonly referred to as the good thief: “Today, you will be with me in paradise” (c/f Lk 23:42).

God rejoices when we repent.

I know that based on our observation and knowledge of certain people, their behavioural pattern, especially, if they are not in sync with God’s precepts, we pass judgement against them in our hearts. But then, here comes the standout message in today’s passage which deeply reflects the Nature of God and His mercy: “Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked? Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way that he may live?”

This desire of God which is intended to give everyone the opportunity to seek repentance and embrace conversion, is a very profound message of hope: a hope that shows that no one is defined by his/her past in God’s eyes. The joy of knowing that there is room for conversion should not make us to despair, thinking that God can never forgive us of the evils we have done.

God has not given up on us.

Let us not judge ourselves even before the final judgement. Let us not condemn ourselves, when God has not condemned us. If God has not given up on us, why should we give up on ourselves? This infinite mercy of God is re-echoed loudly in today’s responsorial Psalm which says: “If you O Lord mark iniquities (take notes, keep account of our faults, which we do with others when we say: he keeps doing this to me; she has hurt me in this manner in the past; I can’t forgive anymore) Lord, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered” (c/f Ps 130:3-4).

If it is about a personal sin that we struggle with, that we think we cannot outgrow it, even if we have confessed it again and again, I still say to you, do not despair. Do not be spiritually discouraged because that is the trick that the devil wants to use to hold us down, to hold us back from being converted and return to God.

We can use these analogies as encouragement.

My favourite analogies which I use to encourage myself and continue my spiritual journey towards perfection, which I have shared with many people during confession, are as follows:

• Going for periodic medical check-up, and follow-up treatment/test, if need be.
• Daily shower to maintain personal hygiene.
• Three of the fourteen Stations of the Cross – The 3^rd (Jesus falls the first time); 7^th (Jesus falls the second time); 9^th (Jesus falls the third time). The symbolism of the fall of Jesus represents our own daily journey/struggle to attain perfection. Although Jesus never sinned, yet He was condemned to die. In spite of His innocence, He never gave up carrying the cross. Just as Jesus fell repeatedly and rose to continue, we should not give up on ourselves.

Let us persevere daily. Let us not see our efforts to growth as boring, and so give up. I repeat:

If God has not given up on us, we should not give up on ourselves.

Homily by

Father Emmanuel Mbuk, MSP