Ezekiel 11:18
I will give you a new heart; I will put a new spirit in you.
1 Timothy 1:12-15
12 I give thanks to Christ Jesus, our Lord, who is my strength, who has considered me trustworthy and appointed me to his service, 13 although I had been a blasphemer, a persecutor and a rabid enemy. However he took mercy on me because I did not know what I was doing when I opposed the faith; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, together with faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 This saying is true and worthy of belief: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first.
"Believe in Me, believe also in yourself. In silence I work my greatest wonders and marvels. Be still and know that I am God. Why are you cast down, why do you groan M--- mine, you belong to Me and I never forget My own. Wait in patience and humility wait with expectant faith. Wait in silence for the wonderful new thing I am about to do in your life. Just believe, just hope, just love, just pray and just wait."
"I will, my Lord and my God. Use me in the service of Your Kingdom for Your glory."
"I will, my Lord and my God. Use me in the service of Your Kingdom for Your glory."
Luke 15:11-32
11 Jesus continued, “There was a man with two sons. 12 The younger said to his father: ‘Give me my share of the estate.’ So the father divided his property between them.
13 Some days later, the younger son gathered all his belongings and started off for a distant land where he squandered his wealth in loose living. 14 Having spent everything, he was hard pressed when a severe famine broke out in that land. 15 So he hired himself out to a well-to-do citizen of that place and was sent to work on a pig farm. 16 So famished was he that he longed to fill his stomach even with the food given to the pigs, but no one offered him anything.
17 Finally coming to his senses, he said: ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will get up and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against God and before you. 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son. Treat me then as one of your hired servants.’ With that thought in mind he set off for his father’s house.
20 He was still a long way off when his father caught sight of him. His father was so deeply moved with compassion that he ran out to meet him, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. 21The son said: ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you. I no longer deserve to be called your son…’
22 But the father turned to his servants: ‘Quick! Bring out the finest robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Take the fattened calf and kill it. We shall celebrate and have a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and is found.’ And the celebration began.
25 Meanwhile, the elder son had been working in the fields. As he returned and was near the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked what it was all about. 27 The servant answered: ‘Your brother has come home safe and sound, and your father is so happy about it that he has ordered this celebration and killed the fattened calf.’
28 The elder son became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and pleaded with him. 29 The indignant son said: ‘Look, I have slaved for you all these years. Never have I disobeyed your orders. Yet you have never given me even a young goat to celebrate with my friends. 30 Then when this son of yours returns after squandering your property with loose women, you kill the fattened calf for him.’
31 The father said: ‘My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But this brother of yours was dead, and has come back to life. He was lost and is found. And for that we had to rejoice and be glad.’”
Beloved, until the end of the ages, this beautiful parable will continue to inspire and to reveal deeper insights into the Father's astonishing love for sinners no matter how greviously we sin. The gravity of sin no matter how grave, is greater than the mercy of our loving Father. At the first sign of repentance and contrition, at the first sign of turning towards God, He rushes to meet us. He cannot bear to be separated from us for a moment longer than necessary and He quickly restores us to our dignity as children of God. Confession restores the white garment of purity received at Baptism. Thank You.
Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19
3 Have mercy on me, O God, in your love.
In your great compassion blot out my sin.
4 Wash me thoroughly of my guilt;
cleanse me of evil.
12 Create in me, O God, a pure heart;
give me a new and steadfast spirit.
13 Do not cast me out of your presence
nor take your holy spirit from me.
17 O Lord, open my lips,
and I will declare your praise.
19 O God, my sacrifice is a broken spirit;
a contrite heart you will not despise.
Even though his sins may be as scarlet, the contrite sinner as depicted in the psalm will never fail to find mercy and forgiveness in the Father.
No comments:
Post a Comment