Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr

Then Jehoiachin, king of Judah, together with his mother, his ministers, officers, and functionaries, surrendered to the king of Babylon, who, in the eighth year of his reign, took him captive. And he carried off all the treasures of the temple of the LORD and those of the palace, and broke up all the gold utensils that Solomon, king of Israel, had provided in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had foretold.

There are consequences to doing evil in the eyes of the Lord. Although He is merciful, He is also just. He can reach His limit and say, “No more.” He will turn us over to our enemies and let them take away all that we have and bring us low. He does this not out of spite, but out of love... in hopes that we might learn from our mistakes and make amends for our sins. It is up to us to humble ourselves and ask for God’s forgiveness and if we are contrite, then He shall grant us His Divine Mercy and restore us to a life.

Do we presume too much on God’s Mercy? What can we do to make amends for our faults and failings? How can we cultivate humble and contrite hearts?

O Lord, we surrender ourselves to you and pray that you might carry off all our evil inclinations and cleanse us of our sins.

Amen.