June 8, 2003
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~ actually from 2/24/03 (Monday)
When we are honest with ourselves, something that can be very difficult
sometimes, we begin to grasp the full scope of God's love and mercy towards
us. Over and over again our actions merit our calling out to God like the
psalmist, declaring "I have sinned against You", and because of this humble
"integrity" God will hear and respond. Through the prophet Isaiah God tells
us that the sins of the past that we have burdened Him with He "remembers no
more" when we confess them and ask for forgiveness. He does this "for My own
sake" so that man will glorify Him instead of glorifying himself and
becoming puffed up with pride. St.Paul reminds us that our God is true to
His promises, He will never say "No" to a soul that approaches Him with
humble faith. Our God is pure and perfect love, He is a God of action who
has "sealed us and given us the Spirit" as a sign of His love and fidelity
towards us. St.Mark also gives us a story that shows us how powerful God's
love and mercy is. Somehow or someway these men in today's Gospel find a way
to present their crippled friend to Jesus. Amazed at their faith and
perseverance Jesus is moved to action and He forgives the man's sins. The
indignant scribes immediately take offense because Jesus is doing something
that only God can do. Knowing their hearts and wishing to tear down the
barrier of pride that separates them Jesus offers them two courses of
action. Certainly it would be easy to "say" your sins are forgiven, anyone
could say that, but to actually have the power to do it had to be an act of
God. To prove He possessed that kind of power Jesus picks the harder of the
two tasks and heals the man of his physical brokenness. Stunned and amazed
the crowd soon realizes what they have just witnessed and give glory and
praise to God, the only sacrifice He wants from us. When we go to God with
our weaknesses He heals a little bit of us each day. We may not have to
break through rooftops to approach Him, but we all have barriers that keep
us away. The only ones that can are the ones we refuse to tear down, and
today's readings encourage us to do just that. Fear of the truth about
ourselves is the biggest barrier that keeps us away, and only when we tear
away those "roof tiles" can we take up our mats and go home!
God bless you,
In Jesus - Pat
Again... forgiveness of our sins.... fear of the truth about ourselves is the biggest barrier that keeps us away, so true, so true. This is something I need to do also... to remove the roof tiles so that I can take up my mat and go home... I am not ready to go home yet... God is still working on me perfecting me. Although I have been wanting to die, I really am not ready to meet God yet, even though I want to. I have way to many sins and problems in my life that God wants to perfect in me before I come home. I need to face these problems head on and confess my sins, admit them and then confess them to God and then be filled with His grace so that I may continue on.
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