When we trust in God, even the evil that is planned against us is turned into blessing. The suffering may be long but we eventually come fully to the graced plan of God, and only then are we profoundly joyous, singing His high praise. This is what happens when in the midst of hostility, one among the brother-enemies of Joseph becomes his advocate as if to give God an identity through which He is able to declare, “I will be with you to the end of the ages”. This promise comes to the believer through thick and thin. God has shown his might to those who trust and have confidence. He freed Israel from slavery after such a long period of suffering; He forgave him on numerous occasions when he turned back to Him after his grievous sins. God’s tender loving nature surpasses His anger, and this is why the prophet Micah rejoices as he asks rhetorically, “What God can compare with you for pardoning guilt and for overlooking crime? He does not harbour anger for ever, since he delights in showing faithful love” (Micah 7: 18).

Weak as we may be, this second week of Lent calls us to belief in self through the act of repentance. The call to atonement is the call to start all over again, and only those who believe have the courage to do so. As Christians we must believe in God and in ourselves because God believes in us. That is why Jesus asks us this time of Lent to practice love and forgiveness, to look to serve and not to be served, to look not to our sins but to God’s forgiving power; the power that seeks to save and not to condemn.

But how can this be possible in a world that seems too comfortable and almost delighted in its sins and weaknesses? In this broken world, our sins weigh heavily on us as we continue to sell our brothers and sisters into slavery, to kill and mutilate in great numbers because of little differences. Our sins are so great that we are visibly overcome by them. It is impossible for us to save ourselves, even if we claim to be masters of our history. The mysteries of science cannot help us always. This Lent, we need to take courage and come before the Lord, the mystery of life, for it is He who breaks all barriers of sin and human limitation. He touches where every other remedy fails.  

The Good News this second week of Lent is that we are invited to take courage and to return to God, confident that He shall heal us and lead us to salvation. Repentance takes courage and confidence. It is an act of belief in God and belief in self. This is what God asks of us today. He asks this of us during this week and throughout the Lenten period. It is a call for life, but only His grace can see us through. May His Holy Spirit inspire us. Amen!