God’s mercy is often cited and extolled, but how does this divine attribute manifest itself? And how do we respond to it? This is what the five Sunday services in March will explore.
God covers us with His mercy
This is a kay scene: “For Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them” (Genesis 3: 21). Human beings broke off their relationship with God and from then on lived far from God.
The clothes that God made for them were a symbol of His love and care. He continued to protect Adam and Eve and even tried to bring them close to Him again. Because human beings are just not able to overcome the gulf separating them from God on their own.
The divine service on the second Sunday, 9 March 2024, will focus on what the nakedness is which God graciously covers, and how we can cover our shame and guilt.
God heals all suffering
On the Sunday before, the focus will be on how far this mercy of God reaches. Because it is not only in this world that a soul experiences distress on account of its separation from God, but also in the beyond. In this world, as in the beyond, there is resentment, pain, regret, disappointment, loneliness, and hopelessness.
God wants to heal all of this once and for all by offering eternal life to everyone. The sacraments play an important role in this context—both for the living and the dead—because these visible signs of God’s invisible actions constitute a new relationship with God.
Faith requires patience
Temptation or spiritual tests are not exactly modern concepts. This refers to everything that can lead a Christian astray and away from her or his faith. Nowadays this could include disappointments, doubts, and a muddled faith. It takes patience and a strong heart to remain faithful to the cause of Christ.
The third Sunday in March provides a model for this with the story of Job. His example shows that those who defy misfortune and distress come closer to God again And they remain on the path to the promised future, which will be without any tests. It will be perfect fellowship with God.
Gratitude is merciful
“Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6: 36). This is the Bible text for the fourth Sunday in March. God’s mercy includes grace and forbearance, compassion, and patience.
We thank Him by being merciful to our fellow human beings. And this is manifested in forbearance towards the weaknesses of others, in compassion for people’s earthly and moral distress, and patience when working for the cause of Jesus.
In good times and bad
The last Sunday in March is also about our determination to follow Christ no matter what. “We follow Jesus, our Saviour, in good times and bad,” is the message of the divine service. This includes the awareness that the path will not be without suffering, but it will lead us into an eternal life without any suffering.
On the way there, we need courage to proclaim the gospel by modelling our lives on it. It is especially in this world where success, self-fulfilment, and independence are so paramount that the message of God’s love for all human beings is so important.
This service heralds the start of Passiontide: Easter is approaching.
Photo: TPS Studio – stock.adobe.com