Nineteenth Saturday in Ordinary Time

Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, each one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD. Turn and be converted from all your crimes, that they may be converted from all your crimes, that they may be no cause of guilt for you. Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in death of anyone who dies, says the Lord GOD. Return and live!

God judges us according to our ways. If we are virtuous and loving, then He judges us as good and faithful servants. If we are full of vices and hatred, then He will cast us into the fires of Hell. He is merciful, but also just. He will not grant us His forgiveness if we do not seek it or if we take it for granted. He only gives his compassion to those who are compassionate and cast away all their crimes. He wants us to make for ourselves new hearts and spirits that are fashioned in His likeness. It is only by becoming models of Him that we can hope to return to Him and live forever. 

Are we virtuous or full of vice? How can we turn away from our sins and be converted? What can we do to fashion new hearts and spirits in the image and likeness of God?

O Lord, convert us from our crimes and make new hearts within us.

Amen.