Monday of the 2nd week of Lent
Saint Patrick, Bishop, Missionary
First reading – Daniel 9:4-10
Lent invites us to stand in the light of God’s mercy while also acknowledging the shadows of our failings. The reading from Daniel 9:4-10 presents this contrast with striking clarity: on one side, the steadfast love and faithfulness of the Lord, who is always ready to extend His mercy to those who turn to Him; on the other, our own infidelities, the times we have strayed from His commandments, bringing upon ourselves the shame of our sins. Yet, this season is not meant to leave us in despair but to lead us to true repentance. It is a call to recognize our shortcomings not as a source of hopelessness but as an opportunity to return to the Lord with humility, trusting that His mercy is always greater than our failures. In the face of our betrayals, God does not turn away; rather, He waits patiently, eager to restore us. This Lenten journey, then, is about embracing both truths—our need for conversion and the unwavering generosity of God’s forgiveness. Lent is repenting suggested by the shame of our betrayals before God’s unwavering mercy.
Don Giorgio