Isaiah 1:10, 16-20
Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomor’rah! Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
Homily:
Like in the story of the prodigal son, our Father is always eager for us to return.
Unlike the story of the prodigal son, our Father goes out of his way to reach us.
God always delays judgment and condemnation. Always.
God is always quick to show mercy and forgive. Always.
Abraham understood this, when he negotiated with God for mercy upon Sodom and Gomorrah.
Jonah understood this when he was told, “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”. He was not running because God would punish Nineveh, but because he knew God would ultimately forgive Nineveh. Jonah was not ready to look like a fool.
All the prophets and kings that knew God, understood this. And this was why no matter how far they strayed, upon realisation, they fled to God and accepted his reproach wholeheartedly. They knew it was better than His condemnation.
A note of caution:
“Don’t be so certain of the Lord’s forgiveness that you go on committing one sin after another. Don’t think that his mercy is so great that he will forgive your sins no matter how many they are. He does show mercy, but he also shows his furious anger with sinners. Come back to the Lord quickly. Don’t think that you can keep putting it off. His anger can come upon you suddenly, and you will die under his punishment.” – Sirach 5:5-7
What about you?
When are you turning back to God?
When are you returning home?
He is eagerly calling.