Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
The Healing of Hezekiah, an Act of God’s Mercy
God shows His children His blessings, love, and mercy in various ways. It could be a prosperous and healthy life, a gracious heart that endures and understands, a forgiving heart, a love-filled spirit, miraculous intervention to physical and spiritual needs, etc. In all these, it is divine mercy at work in the lives of those who trust God. The first reading is the story of Hezekiah, who was a beneficiary of divine love and mercy.
Hezekiah was mortally ill and was told by the prophet of God, Isaiah, to put his house in order because death was imminent. Upon receiving the message, Hezekiah turned to God and prayed, “Ah, LORD, remember how faithfully and wholeheartedly I conducted myself in your presence, doing what was good in your sight!” In his prayer, he reminisced about his relationship, love, faithfulness, commitment to God, and doing the will of God. The fruit of that prayer was God’s miraculous intervention in the sickness of Hezekiah and granting of healing to him. Hezekiah teaches us the value of prayer and turning to God in our adversities and problems.
Let Us Dispose Ourselves of God’ Mercy
We can dispose ourselves of God’s mercy by turning to God. Prayer is turning to God. It is communication with God. We can turn to God for various reasons, petitions, thanksgiving, favors, forgiveness, worship, adoration, repentance, etc. In the broad spectrum, in prayer, we interact with God and build or develop a relationship with Him. Our relationship with God prepares and disposes us of God’s mercy and divine love.
Turning to God is also repentance. Repentance is metanoia, a spiritual conversion, a change that happens in our lives that makes us accept and follow God’s ways. It is a detesting of sin and all its lures and a love of God. When we repent, we prepare ourselves and receive God’s abundant mercy. Thus, repentance is a necessary disposition for divine mercy. God is willing to open an avenue of mercy, salvation, and restoration; let us dispose of ourselves of such abundant gifts from Him.
Be an Instrument of Divine Mercy to Others
“I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” was among the strong statements of Jesus Christ to the Pharisees, who condemned the action of His disciples. The disciples had picked the heads of grain and ate them on a Sabbath. Following their legalistic mind, the Pharisees had condemned the disciples’ actions as unlawful and contravening the commandment that says, “you shall keep the sabbath holy.” Christ’s teaching here challenges us to be empathic in our interpretation of the law. Legalism is following the letters of the law and not the spirit of the lawgiver. Legalism pushes us to be judgmental, but an empathetic spirit makes us have understanding. Empathy is working in someone’s shoes and feeling the pains. It prompts us to think more in line with mercy and be less judgmental. The Pharisees lacked empathy, and Jesus Christ called them out for it.
Let us learn to be empathetic, understanding, and forgiving. Let us assume the best of peoples’ intentions and not the worst. We can be instruments of divine mercy if we learn to forgive, accept differences of opinions, and be less judgmental. We constantly experience and receive divine mercy; let us be channels of God’s mercy to others.
Always remember that Jesus loves you!
Thank you for reading. May God continue to shower his blessings upon you.
Thank you for your wisdom and encouragement to always show compassion to one another as God shows us.