MEMBERS of the DIVINE HOUSEHOLD

“What has been seen cannot be unseen, what has been learned cannot be unknown. You cannot change the past, but you can learn from it. You can grow from it. You can be made stronger. You can use that strength to change your life, to change your future.” ~ C.A. Woolf

Ezekiel sets up two hypothetical cases: the first case focuses on what will happen if a wicked person repents. Their repentance will bring about three positive outcomes: remission of the death penalty (the lot of the wicked), complete forgiveness by God, and the gift of God’s compassion. The God of mercy, takes great joy in the repentance of those who have erred. The second case focuses on what will happen if a virtuous person does abominations. The virtuous deeds will not serve as a justification for transgressions. The God of justice will deal with those who have erred. “What has been learned cannot be unknown.”

This makes sense, right? Wicked + lived repentance = life & Virtue + lived evil = death. Yet, this simple equation has caused division in Israel and seen as “unfair” by the chosen people. Jesus, in the Gospel for today, attempts to get at the root of division—namely, anger can cause future harm. Anger is an appropriate response to unjust situations. It becomes inappropriate when expressed violently (physically or verbally; publicly or privately; externally or internally). This passage, equates anger to the abomination of murder.

The link to worship, highlights the connection between human and divine reconciliation. “…if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall your brother [or sister] has anything against you, … go first and be reconciled with your brother [or sister], and then come and offer your gift.” The gift of your reconciled self. You we must be “free” to offer ourselves. If we are harboring things against our brother or sister or clinging to past wounds, we are not “free” to give ourselves completely, our pure gift of self to God. The good news is that God hears the cry from the depths of our hearts. Confess, be reconciled, and let it go! God is inviting us to be open to His grace, a grace that transforms our lives, to become members of the divine household.

Even better news, is this fact, if we leave God’s household, backsliding in moments of human weakness and frailty, we can always come home. This opportunity to come home is the grace, compassion, mercy, and steadfast love that cannot be pulled away from God and His love is meant for everyone, even hardened sinners.

The season of Lent encourages us to examine our lives, are there ways we cause or allow division in the divine household? All our worship and righteousness cannot overcome the offenses and divisions we commit against others. This is not to scare us into being good boys and girls but to inspire us to become who God made us to be: reconciled members of the divine household.