To the Lord our God mercy and pardon belong, because we have betrayed him ...

Daniel 9:9

The city of London does not have any of the seven wonders of the ancient world (according to Joshua Mark) nor does the House of Parliament boast of having the most aesthetically pleasing attraction in Europe. Instead, many tourists find delight at the sight of the Cathedrals, the Guard of Honor in Buckingham Palace, the non-complications around No10 Downing Street, the London Eye and even the ever busy, Leicester Square. In all of these, residents and visitors of London often commute by the underground train. It is at these very stations that one can truly feel the hospitality of the city. A passionate appeal is made to one's safety, when a tiny but distinctly clear voice is always heard from the loud speakers: mind the gap, please. These are words that do not simply point to the physical cranny between the train and the platform but the danger that that space represents. In other words, to ignore the gap is to expose oneself to a potentially fatal danger.

The prayer of the prophet Daniel can be heard like the London resident or tourist, but unlike the situation on the underground where neither are responsible for the gap, Daniel insists that anyone who wishes to experience the mercy and pardon of God will have to acknowledge the breach that s/he has created. It is an opening that is not meant for self-pity or condemnation. Rather, it is the awareness of the brokenness of the human condition, the acceptance of our wrong decisions which ultimately betray the love of God. The gap reminds us of our need to reach out to the God whose mercy reaches out to us first.

Betrayal of God is not a form of psychological disorder. It is a sin; we have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly, Daniel says. To sin therefore is to act without love, to disregard God. Thus, this day comes as a gentle reminder of what we have to do. We cannot remain on the platform all day; we have to walk over the gap and step onto the train. Similarly, we need to face the truth of the darkness of sin in our lives and move over to the radiance of God's mercy and pardon.   

A reflection written by Anthony Zabbey O.S.A., Priest of St Augustine's Hammersmith, London

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