Sunday 30 October 2022

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.