Fourth Saturday of Lent

Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter, had not realized that they were hatching plots against me: “Let us destroy the tree in its vigor; let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will be spoken no more.” But, you, O LORD of hosts, O just Judge, searcher of mind and heart, Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause!

Once again the scripture passage deals with the persecution of those who follow God’s Will. However, it makes clear that vengeance upon our persecutors is God’s alone. We are not called to repay mistreatment with mistreatment, but rather with love. We are not called to judge and condemn others, but rather to be merciful. God knows the just punishment for all sins (those done by and to us). We need to entrust our cause to Him and let Him protect us and take righteous retribution on those who have harmed us in body, mind, or heart. God will provide us with the justice we seek. We do not need to take it into our own hands.

How can we resist the temptation to retaliate against those who have harmed us? What can we do to foster the habit of being merciful to those who persecute us? Are we willing to entrust our cause to God?

O Lord, give us the patience we need to trust in your protection.

Amen.