Looking within without being self indulgent and being honest with myself is a humbling experience.
SIN – not my favourite topic, but necessary as I lay bare my soul to God – it is because I don’t like it that I must look at my sin and the impact it has to those around me – because sin has consequences.
SIN – the realization that my sinful acts have consequences not only in my relationship with God, but it also impacts those around me – “Sins of the Father” – is a huge responsibility that I never thought deeply about.
My sins sets a bad example for my own children to follow – a bad role model. It may inadvertently lead others astray. Hence my very action – negative thoughts or anger acted upon influences those around me – creating a snowball effect of negativity.
God doesn’t want to punish me – He is all about love. Instead, God want me to be aware of my sinfulness through the grace of inward reflection and examen of my conscience. My loving God gives me freedom to chose – to sin or not to sin!
Here is where I deeply need the help of the Holy Spirit to help me battle my inner demons – sin. Here is when I need decide is it worth it to commit the sin and be eternally damned, or I seek God’s help to walk sin free.
I sin, you sin, we all sin – it is the reality of our human condition – our fallen nature. God’s gift of His son, Jesus Christ – whose death freed us from our sins:
Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.
O Greatly Merciful God, Infinite Goodness, today all mankind calls out from the abyss of its misery to Your mercy — to Your compassion, O God; and it is with its mighty voice of misery that it cries out. Gracious God, do not reject the prayer of this earth’s exiles! O Lord, Goodness beyond our understanding, Who are acquainted with our misery through and through, and know that by our own power we cannot ascend to You, we implore You: anticipate us with Your grace and keep on increasing Your mercy in us, that we may faithfully do Your holy will all through our life and at death’s hour. Let the omnipotence of Your mercy shield us from the darts of our salvation’s enemies, that we may with confidence, as Your children, await Your [Son’s] final coming — that day known to You alone. And we expect to obtain everything promised us by Jesus in spite of all our wretchedness. For Jesus is our Hope: through His merciful Heart, as through an open gate, we pass through to heaven (St Faustina Diary, 1570).
God Bless 💖
Be Inspired! 