Today’s gospel asks: “Who then can be saved?” The answer is found in the first reading, words from the Book of Sirach, a passage that speaks to both the reality of human sin and the infinite mercy of God. Sirach 17:20-24 reminds us that though we may fall into sin, the Lord ever and always calls us back to Himself with love, urging us to repent and turn to Him with all our hearts.
The passage begins by acknowledging the weakness of human nature. “Their iniquities are not hidden from Him, and all their sins are before the Lord.” God sees everything—our struggles, our failures, our sins—but He does not look upon us with condemnation. Instead, He calls us to conversion: “To the penitent He provides a way back, and He encourages those who are losing hope!”
How do we know this? Remember, just last week another reading from Sirach reminded us: “Study the generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the LORD and been disappointed?” What a powerful reminder! For every generation our God has been, not a distant judge waiting to punish us, but a loving Father who longs for our return. He does not abandon his people, even when we turn from the path of righteousness. Jesus reminds us in his telling of the parable of the Prodigal Son, where the father eagerly awaits his wayward child, running to embrace him as soon as he turns back.
But the reading from Sirach also presents us with a challenge. Sirach tells us, “Return to the Lord and give up sin, pray before Him and lessen your offenses.” True repentance is not merely feeling sorrow and regret for our sins; it is a change of heart, a turning away from sin and a turning toward God. This is why the Sacrament of Confession is such a great gift—through it, God restores us, cleanses us, and gives us the grace to begin anew.
Brothers and sisters, how often do we let shame or fear keep us from returning to God? Too often people have succumbed to the whisper of the evil one who wants us to believe that our sins are too great, that we are too far gone. But Sirach reminds us that this is a lie: “How great is the mercy of the Lord, and His forgiveness for those who return to Him!” There is no sin too great for God’s mercy, no past too dark for His light to shine upon. We simply need to turn toward the light and put darkness behind us.
Lent is upon us and as we journey through those to 40 days and beyond, let us hold dear the words of Sirach. Let us return to the Lord with confidence, trusting in His mercy. Let us approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the sacrament of Hope restored with humility and faith, knowing that in the words of absolution, Christ Himself restores our souls. We are renewed and made “good as new.” Then let us rise up and live as people transformed by mercy. Be renewed as a person of Hope.
“Who then can be saved?” The one who turns to God and places their hopes in the Lord.
Image credit: Prodigal Son | Jotge Cocco | found at Scripture Central YouTube – “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” | Fair Use for Education Purpose – US Code Section 107
“To the penitent God provides a way back, he encourages those who are losing hope and has chosen for them the lot of truth. Return to him and give up sin, pray to the LORD and make your offenses few. Turn again to the Most High and away from your sin, hate intensely what he loathes, and know the justice and judgments of God, Stand firm in the way set before you, in prayer to the Most High God.
Who in the nether world can glorify the Most High in place of the living who offer their praise? Dwell no longer in the error of the ungodly, but offer your praise before death. No more can the dead give praise than those who have never lived; You who are alive and well shall praise and glorify God in his mercies. How great the mercy of the LORD, his forgiveness of those who return to him!” (Sirach 17:20-24)