Daily Retreat 05/28/07
2007 May 28 Mon (Eighth Week in Ordinary Time)
Sir 17: 20-24/ Ps 31(32): 1-2. 5. 6. 7/ Mk 10: 17-27
From today's readings: "To the penitent God provides a way back, He encourages those who are losing hope.... Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.... All things are possible for God..."
A way back
Have you ever had the experience of zipping along on the freeway, only to suddenly realize that you're going the wrong direction? After the realization, it can be quite frustrating to remedy the situation - sometimes, you have to continue in the wrong direction for several miles before coming to an exit with the chance to turn around, and of course, the predicament would even be worse if a traffic jam kept you locked in your misdirection.
One of the greatest divine gifts advertised in Scripture is that, "to the penitent, God provides a way back, He encourages those who are losing hope and has chosen for them the lot of truth!" In other words, when we're sinning and going in the wrong direction, through His revelation and illumination of conscience, God first helps us realize we're going in the wrong direction. But He doesn't just leave us then to the frustrating experience of frantically trying to get ourselves back on track - no, because He Himself also provides a way back and offers to help us get going again in the right direction.
So, for this to work, two things are required on our part: first, we must realize that we're sinning and going in the wrong direction, and then we need to re-orient and re-commit ourselves to His "way back." Tragically, many people are zipping along in the wrong direction so fast that they're missing the many warning signs God provides to warn them they're on the wrong road. But even after realizing that they've taken a wrong turn in following a sinful course, some people lack the humility to admit their mistake in order to "Turn again to the Most High and away from your sin." But all those who recognize and repent sincerely of their sins can soon find themselves back on the right road, for "How great the mercy of the LORD, His forgiveness of those who return to him!"
Sir 17: 20-24/ Ps 31(32): 1-2. 5. 6. 7/ Mk 10: 17-27
From today's readings: "To the penitent God provides a way back, He encourages those who are losing hope.... Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.... All things are possible for God..."
A way back
Have you ever had the experience of zipping along on the freeway, only to suddenly realize that you're going the wrong direction? After the realization, it can be quite frustrating to remedy the situation - sometimes, you have to continue in the wrong direction for several miles before coming to an exit with the chance to turn around, and of course, the predicament would even be worse if a traffic jam kept you locked in your misdirection.
One of the greatest divine gifts advertised in Scripture is that, "to the penitent, God provides a way back, He encourages those who are losing hope and has chosen for them the lot of truth!" In other words, when we're sinning and going in the wrong direction, through His revelation and illumination of conscience, God first helps us realize we're going in the wrong direction. But He doesn't just leave us then to the frustrating experience of frantically trying to get ourselves back on track - no, because He Himself also provides a way back and offers to help us get going again in the right direction.
So, for this to work, two things are required on our part: first, we must realize that we're sinning and going in the wrong direction, and then we need to re-orient and re-commit ourselves to His "way back." Tragically, many people are zipping along in the wrong direction so fast that they're missing the many warning signs God provides to warn them they're on the wrong road. But even after realizing that they've taken a wrong turn in following a sinful course, some people lack the humility to admit their mistake in order to "Turn again to the Most High and away from your sin." But all those who recognize and repent sincerely of their sins can soon find themselves back on the right road, for "How great the mercy of the LORD, His forgiveness of those who return to him!"
posted by FrPitstick | 5/27/2007
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