Wednesday

“Even now, says the Lord, turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God; for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love… Blow the trumpet…, consecrate a fast and proclaim a solemn assembly… let the bridegroom come out of his chamber and the bride from her room. …let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, “Spare Your people, O Lord…”” (Joel 2:12–13, 15–17).

Who hears this voice today, ringing out in the Church? If a thundering voice were to sound from heaven in the public squares—“Spare yourselves, O people, that the Lord may also spare you”—perhaps someone would hear it and be roused from their intoxication with pleasures, lusts, and wine. The priests do not cease to cry: ”Spare, O Lord!” But from the Lord a stern reply surely goes forth: “I will not spare, for there is no one seeking mercy.” All stand with their backs to the Lord, have turned away from Him, and have forgotten Him.