1ST WEEK OF LENT

He shall surely live. 

Does this phrase from the prophet Ezekiel remind you of anything? In the opening pages of Scripture, we read about how God gave Adam and Eve freedom to eat from any tree in the Garden of Eden except one. They were forbidden from eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. And what would happen if they disobeyed this command? They would surely die (see Genesis 2:17). And they did. As a result of their disobedience, they were exiled from the perfection of Eden and were now subject to a life of suffering and death.

Fast-forward to the time of Ezekiel, and God’s people are again in exile—again as the result of their disobedience. Deported from their homeland to Babylon, the people were far from the Temple where they had worshipped the Lord. But instead of closing the door on them, God offered them a way back. Through Ezekiel, he promised a reversal of the penalty of their sin. All they needed to do was to turn away from their sin and do what is right and just; then they would surely live (Ezekiel 18:21, 28, emphasis added).

We are centuries removed from the people of Ezekiel’s day, but our experience tracks with theirs. Our sins can separate us from God and place us in a kind of spiritual exile. Even so, God extends to us the same offer of grace and restoration: you will surely live. This is God’s promise to us any and every time that we turn away from sin and follow him in obedience. It’s a promise of peace and security. It’s an open door to new hope and freedom. Above all, it’s an invitation to live with the Lord forever.

Lent is the perfect time to take the Lord up on this invitation. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, you can turn away from sin, do what is right, and return to God. Don’t worry if you haven’t been to Confession in a while. Begin by examining your conscience, perhaps using the questions on the inside cover of this magazine. Allow the Spirit to gently show you any ways in which you have disobeyed the Lord. Then bring them to God in this sacrament. His promise is for you: if you turn away from sin and walk in his ways, you shall surely live.

“Lord, thank you for your mercy.”

Psalm 130:1-8
Matthew 5:20-26
Ezekiel 18:21-28