We Are God’s Treasure

We should all reflect on God’s abundant mercy, especially during Lent. He truly loves us, regardless of the gravity of our sins. Even if we have strayed far from God, Jesus died on the cross for each of us and wants us to be reconciled to Him.

I;ve made a habit of going to monthly Confession. When I most recently received this sacrament, the priest told me the story of the woman and her lost gold coin. He emphasized how she was so happy to find it, pointing out that Jesus rejoices at my repentance. Here is the story taken from Sacred Scripture:

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  Luke 15: 8-10

I’ve also heard that this Bible verse refers to the value of what is lost. I think this lesson is important, because we are all sinners. No matter where we may find ourselves, God always sees us as His priceless treasure. Each of us has a soul that is unique and unrepeatable. We are God’s loving creation and He keeps us in existence by His wonderful love. So even if we find our souls getting dusty or dirty, God loves us and wants us to return home. He is always waiting for us no matter how many times we turn our back on Him. If we come to Him with a contrite heart confessing all our sins to the best of our ability, we will receive the forgiveness that our souls need.

Let’s meet Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation this Lent, seeking His mercy with much courage and humility. Jesus invites us with open arms. His Sacred Heart is burning for love of us. He wants us to turn from sin and pick up our cross and follow Him. Sacred Scripture tells us:

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?’” Matthew 16:24-26

Never forget the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus and its saving power. Jesus loves you wholeheartedly; His mercy is rich and deep, ready to make your souls pure as snow.

I found the following quotes inspiring from when Jesus spoke to Saint Faustina about His Divine Mercy:

“Daughter, when you go to confession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flows down upon your soul and ennobles it. Every time you go to confession, immerse yourself in My mercy, with great trust, so that I may pour the bounty of My grace upon your soul. When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I Myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy. Tell souls that from this fount of mercy souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity.”

“Souls who spread the honor of My mercy I shield through their entire lives as a tender mother her infant, and at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior. At that last hour, a soul has nothing with which to defend itself except My mercy. Happy is the soul that during its lifetime immersed itself in the Fountain of Mercy, because justice will have no hold on it.”

“[Let] the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy. They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy towards tormented souls. Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy.”

This Lent, let us ponder Jesus’ great mercy and love for us. We are His treasure, and He has a place for His treasure in His heavenly home.

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15