Sunday 30 October 2022

0:00

Today is Sunday 30th October, beginning the 31st week of Ordinary time.

Amanda Cook sings, ‘Mercy’.

My past embraced

My sin forgiven

I'm blameless in Your sight

My history rewritten

'Cause You delight in showing mercy

And mercy triumphs over judgment

You delight in showing mercy

And mercy triumphs over judgment

Oh, love great love

Fear cannot be found in You

And there will never be a day

You're uncertain of the ones You choose

'Cause You delight in showing mercy

And mercy triumphs over judgment

You delight in showing mercy

And mercy triumphs judgment

So I will awake and spend my days

Loving the One who has raised me up

From death to life, from wrong to right

You're making all things beautiful

So I will awake and spend my days

Loving the One who has raised me up

From death to life, from wrong to right

You're making all things beautiful

So I will awake and spend my days

Loving the One who has raised me up

From death to life, from wrong to right

You're making all things beautiful

So I will awake and spend my days

Loving the One who has raised me up

From death to life, from wrong to right

You're making all things beautiful

And You delight in showing mercy

And mercy triumphs over judgment

And You delight in showing mercy

And mercy triumphs judgment

Today’s reading is from the Book of Wisdom.

Wisdom 11:22-12:2

Because the whole world before you is like a speck that tips the scales,

and like a drop of morning dew that falls on the ground.

But you are merciful to all, for you can do all things,

and you overlook people’s sins, so that they may repent.

For you love all things that exist,

and detest none of the things that you have made,

for you would not have made anything if you had hated it.

How would anything have endured if you had not willed it?

Or how would anything not called forth by you have been preserved?

You spare all things, for they are yours, O Lord, you who love the living.

For your immortal spirit is in all things.

Therefore you correct little by little those who trespass,

and you remind and warn them of the things through which they sin,

so that they may be freed from wickedness and put their trust in you, O Lord.

‘To God, the whole word is like a speck that tips the scales or a drop of morning dew that falls on the ground.’

We are so small but are never-the-less creatures who are worthy of God’s mercy.

Become aware of the space around you right now, the place where you sit or stand, and take a moment to become aware of the vastness of God surrounding and filling your small space, stretching up to the skies and beyond to the heavens.

Now, have a look around your space at the things and people around you, as our reading tells us that God is merciful to all and loves all things that exist.

Perhaps this changes the way you see people and things?

Can you surround yourself with this mercy and love?

As you listen to the reading again, notice the ways that God cares for those who need correction.

‘You correct little by little those who trespass.’

This feels like a tender but true process of correction, freeing us to be drawn deeper into this God of love.

Take a few moments to respond to this wonderful mercy and love described today.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.