The Heart of the Matter: Mercy and the Call to Holiness

Voice over by Rose Khaing Mye Thu

Ezek 18:21-28, Psalm: 129, Mt 5:20-26

My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

A persistent human temptation is to believe that our spiritual state is fixed—that we are either essentially good or irredeemably flawed, and that our past actions have sealed our fate. Today, the Word of God shatters that lie. It reveals a God of dynamic mercy who judges us not on our past, but on our present openness to conversion, and who calls us to a holiness that reaches into the very roots of our relationships.

The prophet Ezekiel delivers a revolutionary message to a people who believed they were suffering for the sins of their ancestors. “If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed… he shall surely live, he shall not die.” Conversely, if a virtuous man turns to wickedness, “none of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered.” God declares, “Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?” The Lord’s justice is not mechanical; it is relational. He takes no pleasure in the death of the sinner, but rejoices when we turn and live. Our past does not define us; our present choice for or against God does. This is the breathtaking offer of divine mercy: a new beginning is always possible.

This call to continual conversion finds its demanding and specific application in the Gospel. Jesus declares, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.” The Pharisees’ righteousness was meticulous in external observance. Jesus reveals that true righteousness is a matter of the heart. It’s not enough to avoid murder; we must root out the anger and contempt that poison our hearts and our community. He makes the stunning command that our worship itself is interrupted by the memory of a strained relationship: “If you bring your gift to the altar and there recall that your brother has anything against you… go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Here is the powerful connection: Ezekiel’s merciful God, who judges us on our present turning, is the same Father to whom we bring our gift at the altar. Our worship is false if we are not actively turning—converting—in our relationships. Reconciliation is not an optional pious practice; it is the necessary fruit of a heart that has received God’s mercy and must now extend it.

For us, this means two things. First, we must believe in and accept God’s offer of a new beginning today. No sin is so great that turning back is pointless. No virtue is so secure that we can stop striving. Second, we must let that mercy flow into our daily interactions. Our Lenten fast is meaningless if we are harboring a grudge. Our prayers are hollow if we refuse to seek or offer forgiveness.

St. Augustine, whose own life was a dramatic turning, wrote, “God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.” Pope Francis constantly urges us to be a “Church of mercy” that goes out to heal wounds.

This Lent, let us embrace the dynamic mercy of Ezekiel’s God. Let us allow Christ to purify our hearts of anger and contempt. Let us be the ones to take the first step toward reconciliation, for in doing so, we live the “greater righteousness” and truly prepare our hearts for the Kingdom of heaven. Amen.

May God bless you all!