Proper 22
Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready tohear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Monday, October 08, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
can forgiveness happen before anything has happened?
I have a hard time with saying that God has forgiven me before I have even sinned.
Forgiveness is a release.
Forgiveness is an expression of love.
Forgiveness is not a token. It is a relational expression.
We can say that God loved us before we sinned. But did he forgive us before we did?
Forgiveness is a releasing. How can you release something before it is even in existence?
Forgiveness is a release.
Forgiveness is an expression of love.
Forgiveness is not a token. It is a relational expression.
We can say that God loved us before we sinned. But did he forgive us before we did?
Forgiveness is a releasing. How can you release something before it is even in existence?
Monday, January 22, 2007
Saints and Stains
Reading The Holy Longing by Ronald Rolheiser for a seminary course...there were sections of the book that left me feeling naked and cold and other sections that warmed me to the core.
One section that did both to me was the chapter of the book dedicated to the community of faith. Here are some thoughts spawned from it...
In the church we have saints and stains. We have the greatness of God and the fraility of humanity. We have a peace that lasts and the daily grind that disrupts any efforts for peace. We have the promise of forgiveness and the continuing selfishness that builds bitterness and emotional distance.
One section that did both to me was the chapter of the book dedicated to the community of faith. Here are some thoughts spawned from it...
In the church we have saints and stains. We have the greatness of God and the fraility of humanity. We have a peace that lasts and the daily grind that disrupts any efforts for peace. We have the promise of forgiveness and the continuing selfishness that builds bitterness and emotional distance.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Forgiveness
Forgiveness lifts me above the battle, disentagles me from the mangled mess of anger, vengeance, trustlessness. In the heat of the battle, I am brought out so that when the dust settles and all that remains are ears ringing and carnage my "opponent" discovers I was never in the fight anyway. His words of deceit aimed at inciting me have landed softly without impaling.
Forgiveness brings us into another realm; a realm of understanding, love and patience. Understanding that all of us have stories that drive our character; love for all the people in their stories-love that existed before their story was written; and patience/hope that all will someday enter that realm.
Forgiveness brings us into another realm; a realm of understanding, love and patience. Understanding that all of us have stories that drive our character; love for all the people in their stories-love that existed before their story was written; and patience/hope that all will someday enter that realm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)