# The courage to profess Christ
*2015-02-26*

> Bill Young reflects on Matthew 10:32 and the profound mercy of God for those who acknowledge Jesus before others.

## Acknowledging Christ

In today's reading from Matthew 10:32, Jesus says, "Everyone, therefore, who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven." This echoes the injunction we heard on Ash Wednesday: repent and believe in the gospel.

## The Nature of Divine Mercy

Any sinner who makes the decision to change their sinful behavior and profess Christ before others finds an embrace of forgiveness. Why is God so merciful to us? It is because God is, by nature, merciful, and because He loves us.

## Our Value in God's Eyes

As we read a few verses earlier in Matthew, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs on your head are all counted." We are told not to be afraid, for we are more valuable than many sparrows. To know of God's love for us is to know that Jesus will acknowledge us before God.

*May we always have the courage to profess Jesus as the center of our lives and the courage to begin again and again.*