God’s mercy endures forever: The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. Thanks be to God (Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24). Risen from the dead, Jesus brings peace to His terrified disciples, and empowers them in the Holy Spirit to forgive sins in others (John 20:19-31).
His mercy endures forever
Psalm 118, as a song of thanksgiving, fits well the mood of the Easter season. It begins with the call to praise God for His mercy (hesed), His steadfast love for those in covenant with Him. The various groups making up the congregation at worship are invited to repeat the refrain: “His mercy endures forever.” The “house of Israel” refers to the chosen people; the “house of Aaron” designates the priestly caste; and “God-fearers” are the proselytes who have begun to believe, too, in the Lord. Truly, “the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:17), on those who treasure Him and would not risk losing Him.
The second stanza goes personal with the psalmist’s own experience of God’s mercy. He was oppressed and suffering, but God helped and saved him. In an individual note of gratitude, the psalmist borrowed from Israel’s own hymn of victory: “The Lord is my strength and my courage, and He has been my savior” (Exodus 15:2), recalling the joy in the camp proclaiming God’s deliverance of His people. God’s saving act happened now to an individual, but the people have witnessed it and marvel at it. The one rejected by enemies is now exalted by God: “A precious cornerstone, a sure foundation—so that ‘whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame’” (Isaiah 28:16). Actually, every generation can identify their own time as the day of salvation, “the day the Lord has made,” and rejoice in it, because God’s mercy is forever.
Sins you forgive are forgiven
The first day of the week was the day of the resurrection of Jesus. Time is now differently assessed: what is significant is no longer the week’s conclusion with the Sabbath, but its beginning focusing on what is to unfold still. Earlier in the day, while still dark, the disciples found the tomb of Jesus empty. Now later in the day, gathered for “fear of the Jews,” they suddenly have Jesus in their midst, the locked doors nonetheless. Jesus was once more with them bringing peace. It is the fulfillment of His promise: “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you…not as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled” (John 14:27). The Risen Jesus is now the abiding presence that provides peace and calms the heart amid the chaos of the world, the supreme manifestation of divine love.
The victory of the Risen Lord was complete: The Holy Spirit was bestowed on the disciples. Grounded in the peace that perfect love brings and sharing in divine mercy, the disciples now received the power of mission, the same way the Father commissioned Jesus. Life received must be life shared. The forgiveness of sin is the path to the unity with God; sin is what separates humankind from God. Jesus has taken away the sin of the world, and replaced alienation with communion. Needed is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit and power of the Risen Lord, shared with us and with whom we are commissioned, so that we can overcome sin through God’s mercy, and develop unity and peace in the world.
Alálaong bagá, what the psalmist experienced as God’s love and saving help, for which he thanks the Lord whose mercy is forever, the disciples of Jesus themselves were privileged to have similarly witnessed in Him and have been called to pass on and proclaim to the world. The mercy of God that endures forever has conquered sin and death.
Join me in meditating on the Word of God every Sunday, 5 to 6 a.m. on DWIZ 882, or by audio-streaming on www.dwiz882.com.