Monday of the Second Week
In today’s first reading, Daniel greets God as “Lord, great and awesome”. This is actually quite common to hear when Catholics start prayers, especially when the one praying aloud is a priest. Maybe sometimes you hear prayers start with “Good and gracious God” or “God of infinite Goodness”. If you think of this passage as the start of the prayer, it may take you deeper into Daniel’s words. I encourage you to read the first reading again in a new light before you read the rest of this reflection.
Daniel, abundantly honest of his shortfalls and the shortfalls of the other people of Judah, gives all of his confessions to God in a moment of both meekness and strength. Do you informally confess to God often in prayer? Perhaps at the end of each day or before going into the Confessional? If you pray Liturgy of the Hours, an examination of conscience may be part of your nightly routine. It is humbling to tell God of your shortfalls, but we are called to do so without despairing in God’s mercy. Like Daniel, we are called to not give up hope because we know that God is compassionate and forgiving! We see Jesus affirm these words in the Gospel when he says, “just as your Father is merciful.” God listens without judging and He is always calling you toward self-reflection so that you may become more forgiving toward yourself and others.
Prayer
Lord, great and awesome, help us, your holy men and women, to find courage to confess our sins and change our ways this Lent in order to live more like Christ did. We ask this through the intercession of our Holy Mother Mary and St. Michael the Archangel. Amen.
Abigail Beach, ’22
