“Another Sinner Forgiven: The Good News Just Keeps on Coming!” by Wayne Miller
“…Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it…" (Isaiah 43:18-19)
They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. (Psalm 126: 6)
“…Brothers and sisters, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead...” Philippians 3:13
“…Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” John 8:11
Piety
Abba Father, thank you for speaking to me each day in Your Word. Thank You that I don’t always have a clear picture of what you are trying to say to me. Help me to be still and listen for Your Precious Wisdom and Understanding – the Gifts of Your Holy Spirit freely given to me. Thank you for your Patience and Faithfulness with me as I struggle to be your man in every situation.
Study
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus said: “…learn what this means, ‘I desire MERCY, and not Sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matt 9:13)
Friar Richard Rohr laments in his latest book (The Universal Christ, Chap. 7) that Church can become (we can become) the mere enforcer of laws and requirements. He says we’ve “lost the attitude of serving as caretakers of God’s lambs and sheep. Instead, (we) become guards, word police, and dealers in holy antiques.” Jesus came to give us unearned Mercy, not to make us arbiters of correctness and purity.
The Scribes and Pharisees sought to display their power and authority through their condemnation of the woman caught in adultery. In our current “Me Too” environment, we condemn the fundamentalist cultures that promote this kind of action. (BTW, where was the man she was caught with? Adultery is a team sport.) Jesus would have none of it. But even he listened respectfully to their challenge before responding.
I want with all my heart to be Jesus’ conduit of Mercy and Joy, leaving all judgment to Him. But I am not above the occasional condemnation myself.
Action
I once served in a support role to a beautiful Women’s Cursillo Team. I was deeply honored that they trusted me to be their helper. I was so certain that my wealth of experience and loving service was exactly what the Lord was calling me to – until I got there and began to receive a significant amount of “direction” from various quarters, much of which I judged totally inappropriate and infringing on my wisdom and capacity to serve the weekend.
I was mentally picking up rocks to hurl at the intruders in my neat little corner of the world. I fussed and fumed for a while over my abused plight. But, one by one, I dropped the mental stones as I realized that these “otherly-focused” lovers of our Lord and His ladies were beloved children of the same Father that I claim relationship with. These were people deeply loved and cared for by my Brother Jesus, who was just standing there at my side, smiling and patiently waiting for me to open my heart to Him so He could show me how He wanted the interlopers Loved.
Needless to say, my “service” time became a blessed time of St. Francis’ “Perfect Joy” and a real moment of growth in my heart for all of God’s Children – especially the “over-achievers” crowding around me.
Who do you look at and tell God how totally messed up they are and how un-deserving of our love they are? Instead, try asking Him to give you His Eyes to see the precious beauty that exists in them. Ask Him for an epiphany to see how He wants them loved by your unique, precious spirit. And ask Him for the Gift to appreciate the unique spirit in them that He so Loves and wants the world (your world) to experience.
De Colores!
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