Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Repentance

Barking up the wrong tree.
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Many of the Catholic bloggers are writing about Ash Wednesday and Lent and what they are going to do to observe Lent. Don't get me wrong, this is good and mighty edifying, but it seems to me it can be a bit self-conscious, if not indiscreet - too much "all about me" - but that's just my initial reaction. I mention it because reading such things can elicit just that type of thoughtless critique from me, albeit, not intended in an uncharitable way. However, I'm learning it is always better when I turn it back upon myself - admitting that sometimes there may be another underlying evil prompting my 'judgements' (aka, 'opinion') - be it self-opinion or pride, envy, jealousy, resentment, remembrance of wrongs, or just idle speculation, there is often something culpable lurking beneath my unsolicited comments. (Except my really funny ones.)
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As a blogger, I've come to realize I've been 'barking up the wrong tree' as it were. Passing judgement upon others, meddling, sticking my nose in where it doesn't belong.
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This year Ash Wednesday reminds me that the observance of Lent is most deeply about repentance - not so much about what one gives up or does - such actions are an expression of repentance, a devout response, or return to Divine Mercy. For me, repentance is really what Lent is all about, and 'barking up the right tree' - acknowledging and confessing my sins, weeping and mourning at the foot of the Cross. Really and truly repenting - the rest is more or less evidence one truly means to reform. [Mt. 3: 7] And it is between me and God.
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(Yes, even this is self-opinion and pride.)
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Be patient with yourself, Terry. But try to remember that God's love and mercy is to be found and is active way beyond your own personal perceptions of what is right and wrong or good and bad. To do that attempts to see things or people in all three dimensions, much more as God sees them.

We all need to strive for a more three dimensional way of seeing things, more as God sees them. Quiet, personal prayer alone is a great help with that.

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Holy Face of Jesus

Show us your face and we shall be saved. "Each soul is the object of My special love. That is why I am so grateful to those who are resourceful and bringing back sinners to Me. Keep this in mind then. I gave My life for them in the most atrocious torture, for these poor beloved ones. A humble repentance, and they are already on My heart. So speak gently to them. Speak with tenderness. A brusque remark could drive them farther away." - He and I

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Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

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