The beginning of the end of my Grandmother’s life came early one morning. I knew she had cancer; but to my young and hopeful mind she would survive. What signaled the change I do not know, but I woke to hushed whispers and frantic activity. A blood cot to the brain, they said. I loved […]
Search Results for: forgiveness
REFLECTING ON THE 7 DEADLY SINS: WRATH
A lady once tried to rationalize her out-of-control temper to her pastor. “It’s no big deal,” she said. “I blow up, and then it’s all over.” “So does a shotgun,” he replied, “and look at the damage it leaves behind!” Anger is a deadly sin because it leads to other sins. That’s why Jesus, in […]
PRAYING THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS: 4th Friday of Lent – Psalm 51
When I was nine, I stole a big, fat, sugary Boston cream pie from the refrigerator and ate the entire thing behind the trees in the backyard. It wasn’t mine to take. We didn’t have the open-frig, eat-when-you-want policy that children have today—and we never had desserts that looked like that. But even worse, I […]
PRAYING THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS: 3nd Friday of Lent – Psalm 38
It’s popular today to deny the concept of sin. There are only bad choices, mistakes to move on from, and other people to blame. Behind that dislike of calling things “sin” is outrage that God would pass judgment on me and my actions. How dare he! To that person, God is a tyrant. What a […]
PRAYING THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS: 2nd Friday of Lent – Psalm 32
When I set out to read the penitential psalms this Lent, I expected them to draw me into dust and ashes, into mourning for my sins. I still think that – but what a surprise to read the second one, Psalm 32, and find myself lifted into joy! Here, then, is the reason for this […]
PRAYING THE 7 PENITENTIAL PSALMS: 1st Friday of Lent – Psalm 6
Every Friday during Lent, I will provide a brief guide for reflecting on one of the seven penitential psalms. For centuries, these have been a powerful source of prayer and reflection during Lent. Together they invite us to recognize our sin, express our sorrow to God and ask his forgiveness, and experience the healing touch […]
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A WAY TO “GO DEEPER” THIS LENT?
Lent is right around the corner, and this year I want to do more than simply give up wine or sweets or facebook. Something Pope Francis said in his recent message for Lent struck me in a new way: “… wherever we go, we are called as Christians to proclaim the liberating news that forgiveness […]
