Our Sunday readings today make it clear that to draw closer to God is to live in accordance with His commands so that we enjoy a life of holiness as He intended. To move away and to disobey Him is to bring desolation and death upon one's life and even on the nation. The amazing fact is that God has given us the freedom to choose, but not without consequences.

God, for His part, chooses to be faithful. His love is constant and enduring. He freely shows His mercy to humanity. This free gift of God is called "grace", which Paul says cannot be earned by human effort. It is given although we do not deserve it. God's grace, nevertheless, can be taken for granted. It is important, therefore, to realise that the grace given to us comes at a high price - the death of Jesus. God's gift of His only begotten Son (John 3: 16) aptly sums up the true nature of God's grace. It is a free gift of God Himself.

The Season of Lent is a grace-filled moment for us to recognise that God gives us ample opportunity to draw closer to Him and experience His goodness to us. Let us not allow Lent to pass without us being unaffected by the sacrifice that God has made to save us from foul consequences.