infinite mercy
"The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you were not faithful to Me in showing forth My sanctity before the Israelites, you shall not lead this community into the land.' " —Numbers 20:12
Moses either struck the rock one too many times or had a bad attitude or said the wrong thing. Somehow, he did not show forth God's sanctity in bringing forth water from the rock. This kept Moses from entering the promised land.
Thank God we live in the New Testament, in the season of God's mercy. We hope we will never sin again, but "if anyone should sin, we have, in the presence of the Father, Jesus Christ, an Intercessor Who is just. He is an Offering for our sins, and not for our sins only, but for those of the whole world" (1 Jn 2:1-2).
We know that the Lord will forgive even the worst sinners seventy times seven (Mt 18:22). We should not use this as an excuse to sin, but it's good to know that no sins are too many or too bad for the Lord to forgive, if we only repent. "You can depend on this as worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tm 1:15).
Moses didn't get a second chance to enter the promised land. However, we are given hundreds, even thousands of chances to enter the ultimate promised land of heaven. Lord, have mercy!
Prayer: Merciful Father, thank You for forgiving me when I wouldn't even forgive myself.
Promise: "I for My part declare to you, you are 'Rock,' and on this rock I will build My Church, and the jaws of death shall not prevail against it." —Mt 16:18
Praise: St. Teresa Benedicta and her sister Rose, both Catholic nuns of Jewish origin, were arrested by the Nazis, and put to death at Auschwitz for being Catholic and Jews.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Divine Love on audio AV 52-3 or video V-52.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 14, 2007
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