“Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s providence.” The preceding quote is from St Augustine of Hippo, a Bishop from northern Africa who was born in the middle of the fourth century. Augustine is one of our faith’s greatest theologians, but for most of his life as a young adult, he lived a life of earthly pleasure and irresponsibility. That quote shows how St Augustine understood very well, especially in the reality of his own life, how all of us are in need of God’s mercy.
For several weeks now as we journey through Ordinary Time, we have been hearing from the Old Testament books of 1st and 2nd Samuel. Today, the reading from bring us to King David, a man certainly in need of God’s forgiveness and mercy. David was a man of many faults and great errors. He was quick to anger. He was an adulterer. He even used his power as king to have the husband of his mistress killed, a husband who was a faithful soldier who loved his country and his king. David did all this in an attempt to cover his sins. Yet, in his heart, through this ordeal, David knew that he had sinned. When he expressed his judgment on the man in the parable that was told by Nathan, he did not realize that he was judging himself. However, at that point, he realized the consequence of his sins. He was now a changed person.
In spite of his sins, in spite of the consequences he knew he would endure, David repented. He confess his sins. And he received forgiveness from the Lord.
Pope Francis states: “Let the Church always be a place of mercy and hope, where everyone is welcomed, loved, and forgiven.” Let us never forget God’s mercy. Let us all feel called to be instruments of God’s mercy.
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