Day 10 ~ Saturday First Week of Lent

Opening Prayers:

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and Confiteor (see Day 1 for full text of prayers).

Scripture Reading (Ezekiel 18:21–23):

“But if the wicked do penance for all his sins which he hath committed, and keep all My commandments, and do judgment and justice, living he shall live, and shall not die. I will not remember all his iniquities that he hath done: in his justice which he hath wrought he shall live. Is it My will that a sinner should die, saith the Lord God, and not that he should be converted from his ways, and live?”

Reflection:

God takes no delight in the death of the sinner. These words from the prophet Ezekiel express one of the most consoling truths of divine revelation: no matter how far we have fallen, if we turn back to the Lord with sincere repentance, He forgives and forgets. “I will not remember all his iniquities,” the Lord declares. What astonishing mercy! Lent is a privileged time to experience that mercy anew, especially through the Sacrament of Penance.

This Friday reminds us of the seriousness of sin and the joy of conversion. God's justice and His mercy are not opposed. They are united in His love. He is just, but He desires life, not punishment. The soul that repents sincerely by keeping the commandments, by living justly, shall live. Not only in earthly peace, but eternally. He shall not die.

The invitation is clear: do penance, and live.

Many people delay conversion because they think their past is too shameful, or they fear they’ll never be holy enough. But God is not asking us to be perfect immediately. He is asking us to turn to Him now. To renounce sin now. To begin now. If we do, the promise is secure: “living, he shall live.”

The early Church Fathers often meditated on this passage to refute despair. St. John Chrysostom wrote: “Do not say: ‘I have sinned much; how can I be saved?’ That is why God is long-suffering—that you may repent. The greater the sin, the greater the grace when you turn back.” Sin is never greater than the mercy of Christ. The only failure is to remain in sin out of fear or pride.

Today is also Friday, the day Christ died for us. In His Passion, He bore the weight of all the world’s iniquities—our own included. “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). When we confess our sins, we are not presenting them to a distant judge, but to the very One who already carried them in His flesh and poured out His Blood to wash them away. To go to Confession, then, is to meet the Crucified with open hands and say: “Lord, here is my burden. I place it into Your wounds.”

Let today be a day of profound examination. Is there any sin you’ve not confessed? Any grudge you’ve held? Any commandment you’ve neglected? God says: “If the wicked do penance… I will not remember his iniquities.” That means total absolution, total healing, and a new beginning.

We might also examine whether we have rejoiced in the conversion of others or judged them. The verse asks, “Is it My will that a sinner should die?” implying the answer is no. But do we sometimes wish for others to “get what they deserve”? The Lord desires conversion, not condemnation. May we reflect that divine patience in our dealings with others.

Finally, do some penance today: offer a small sacrifice, fast, or pray the Stations of the Cross. Unite yourself to the Savior’s mercy.

Closing Prayers:

V: O Lord, hear my prayer.

R: And let my cry come unto Thee.

V: Let us bless the Lord.

R: Thanks be to God.

V: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

R: Amen.