From 'Walk with Me' for Lent 2019 - Living a Holy Life
Grace acts in history; ordinarily, it takes hold of us and transforms us progressively. (Gaudate et exsultate 50)
John 8:31-42
'I tell you the truth everyone who sins is a slave to sin.'
In every circumstance, in the face of every evil, the pathway of forgiveness is immensely difficult, seemingly impossible. It is marked by various stages: slowly coming to terms with what has happened, beginning to recover a reason for living, and gradually over time knowing some healing. Eventually, even the possibility of heartfelt forgiveness might emerge. If such a process is necessary in the face of profound evil, we can expect a similar process in lesser evils too: a betrayal of some form, a broken promise, the sin of omission and timidity, the sudden explosion of a passing rage. Each time we make our way through this process we learn something of the art and grace of forgiveness.
Lord, open my lips and I will declare your praises. You don't delight in burnt offerings or grand gestures; 'the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise' (Ps 51:17).
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