We are deep into Lent. Palm Sunday is next week, and Easter is just two weeks away. A quick search online reveals a Lent countdown calendar ticking down the days, hours, minutes and even seconds. Perhaps you are extremely pleased with how your Lenten activities are going. More likely, by now you might be feeling discouraged at falling short of your personal plans for prayer, fasting and good works. The truth is you cannot “fail” Lent. Today’s readings remind us to look forward and be merciful in our self-reflection as the preparation time continues.

Consider Paul’s words in the second reading, Philippians 3:8-14. He advises adopting an attitude of “forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead,” emphasizing the importance of moving onward in one’s spiritual journey versus looking backward at past achievements and failures. Paul sees himself as continuing his pursuit, not having attained the goal – and this is more than 20 years after his conversion. We can take the same attitude toward our short 40 days of Lent, letting go of any perceived failures and refocusing on having a faithful heart wide open to God.

The Gospel message goes further to help us avoid looking backward with condemnation. In John 8:1-11, “A Woman Caught in Adultery,” we hear the famous line, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” As the story progresses, her accusers go away, one by one, and Jesus confirms with the woman that no one has condemned her. He says, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” The proper response, as Jesus demonstrates, is merciful and forward-looking. Jesus does not condemn you for sins or shortcomings. Neither should you condemn yourself.

Let’s not be harder on ourselves than the Lord is! We can be merciful with ourselves any time we may be tempted to think negatively of our journey this Lent. Instead, we can revisit the Ash Wednesday commitment to fully open our hearts to God and move forward. The verse before the Gospel holds the perfect message. “Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, for I am gracious and merciful.” Be honest, true and open to God’s desire of a relationship with him. Reflect less on any shortfalls. Relieve yourself of the burden of thinking about yourself, and refocus on your faithful heart that is wide open to God.