Day Seventeen: Trusting in God’s Mercy
Monday, Third Week of Lent

Scripture Passage
“Go and wash … and your flesh will heal.” (2 Kings 5:10)

Opening Reflection
Trusting in God’s mercy requires humility. When Naaman, a great commander, sought healing from the prophet Elisha, he expected a grand miracle. Instead, he was told to bathe in the Jordan River. Initially, he resisted, believing such a simple act was beneath him. However, when he humbled himself and obeyed, he was healed. Often, we desire extraordinary signs from God, yet His grace is found in simple acts of faith and obedience.

Meditative Reflection
Like Naaman, we sometimes struggle to accept the way God chooses to work in our lives. We may expect grand solutions to our problems, yet God often calls us to quiet trust and small steps of faith. His mercy is not always revealed in dramatic ways but through everyday moments—through the sacraments, through acts of kindness, and through the gentle whisper of prayer.

Saint Thomas More, in his letter to his daughter Margaret, expressed a deep trust in God even in the face of suffering. He saw his imprisonment as a spiritual gift rather than a misfortune, believing that God’s grace would sustain him. This is the essence of faith: knowing that even when we do not understand His ways, God is working for our good.

Reflection Questions
Have I placed conditions on how I expect God to answer my prayers? Am I willing to trust in His ways, even when they seem simple or unexpected? How can I cultivate a spirit of humility that allows me to receive God’s mercy with an open heart?

Lenten Question
Q: Why does God sometimes ask for small acts of faith instead of grand gestures?
A: God’s ways often teach humility and trust. By asking for small acts of obedience such as Naaman’s washing in the Jordan He reminds us that healing and grace are not earned by greatness but received through faith.

Lenten Action
Forgive someone who has hurt you and ask for forgiveness where needed. Let go of pride and take the first step toward reconciliation.

Concluding Prayer
Heavenly Father, teach me to trust in Your mercy, even when I do not understand Your ways. Grant me a humble heart that seeks You in small and simple acts of faith. Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me and to walk in the path of righteousness. Amen.

Resources for Lenten Prayers and Reflections:

Daily Saints and Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Lenten Reflections | EWTN | https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/reflections/lent

Lenten Prayers and Daily Reflections | My Catholic Life | https://mycatholic.life/lent-prayers-reflections/