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I like the expression “Awa ng Diyos,” although literally this could mean “Mercy of God” and this translation does not quite capture its true essence. “Awa ng Diyos” does not only refer to mercy. It does not only refer to forgiveness. It also refers to an innate goodness that cannot run out. Awa ng Diyos.
In the first reading, we hear about the Awa ng Diyos. Hezekiah is sick and his life is about to end. He is not exactly a holy king, but he prays to God and God hears him. God extends his life so that he can continue to serve his people. If you don’t know what it feels like to be healed of an incurable disease, you may not be able to understand what Awa ng Diyos means. To be healed is thus completely Awa ng Diyos. It is not the work of doctors. As in the reading, it is not Hezekiah’s worthiness that extends his life. It is completely the goodness, the mercy of God.
In the Gospel, it is also the Awa ng Diyos that we hear about.
The apostles violate the law of the Sabbath. They are hungry, and they violate the law not to spite God but at the prompting of human need. And God, addressing himself to the Apostles, says, “It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice. You would not have condemned these innocent men if you knew the law.”
Awa ng Diyos is the reason we are here. If God did not show us mercy, who knows where we would end up. And yet, even though God has shown us great awa, we know that we have not shown the same awa to one another.
Let us pray for the grace to be a little bit more gentle, to be more understanding, to be more broad-minded. Let us pray for the grace to show one another the Awa ng Diyos that we ourselves receive.
“AWA NG DIYOS”
Is 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8; Mt 12:1-8
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