“WITH GOD THERE IS NO FAVORITISM” (RM 2:11)
“Will You sweep away the innocent with the guilty?” –Genesis 18:23
The Lord is extremely merciful to the guilty (Ps 103:10). He is rich in mercy and slow to anger (Eph 2:4; Ps 103:8). God showers the warming sun and healing rain on the innocent and the guilty alike (Mt 5:45). To those caught red-handed in their guilt, the Lord says: “Nor do I condemn you. You may go. But from now on, avoid this sin” (Jn 8:11).
Jesus, the truly innocent One, Who is without sin and carries no personal guilt, comes as the spotless Lamb of God, freely sacrificed to atone for the guilty (Heb 4:15). He took on Himself the sins of the world, your sins and mine, atoning for the sins of the guilty with His own innocent blood. The Innocent dies, not with the guilty, but instead of the guilty.
Why would He do this for us? God is passionately in love with us. He would endure anything, even death on a cross (see Phil 2:8), so we could spend eternity with Him. In response to such love, let us surrender our lives to the Lord, take up our cross, and follow in His footsteps (Lk 9:23).
PRAYER: Lord, with St. Paul, I say: “I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own: Christ is living in me. I still live my human life, but it is a life of faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal 2:19-20).
PROMISE: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; He pardons all your iniquities, He heals all your ills.” –Ps 103:2-3
PRAISE: St. Irenaeus overcame heresy by applying to each error the truths of Scripture and the teachings of the apostles.
