Ordinary Time

Pause

From time to time, we all make decisions which cause hurt to someone we love. Our decisions can result in estrangement and alienation in our relationships, including our relationship with God.

It is not easy to admit our human failure or to seek forgiveness from those whom we have alienated or injured. The good news is that God longs to be in relationship with us. God offers forgiveness and grace, even when we fall short.

So come and rest in the grace of God.

Listen

I cry out to you from the depths, Lord— my Lord, listen to my voice! Let your ears pay close attention to my request for mercy! If you kept track of sins, Lord— my Lord, who would stand a chance? But forgiveness is with you— that’s why you are honored.

I hope, Lord. My whole being hopes, and I wait for God’s promise. My whole being waits for my Lord— more than the night watch waits for morning; yes, more than the night watch waits for morning!

Israel, wait for the Lord! Because faithful love is with the Lord; because great redemption is with our God! He is the one who will redeem Israel from all its sin.

Psalm 130

Think

I know people who live by “check-list” Christianity. They have internalized a list of things they consider to be sins. As long as they don’t do anything on the list, they feel they are living a sin-free life. In truth, we all have more sins than we can count. We sometimes forget that our lifestyle results in our participation in sin. For example, when I shop at the dollar store I love, my inexpensive purchases may keep a worker in another country from earning a fair wage. The excess water I use while brushing my teeth contributes to the abuse of the earth’s natural resources. In both cases, I’m participating in injustice.

In today’s Psalm, the good news is that God forgives ALL our sins, even the ones we don’t realize we are committing. As people of faith who love God and God’s creation, we work to reduce the number of sins we commit, but we will never be sin-free. Thanks to God’s grace, we do not have to keep count or worry about God’s forgiveness.

Annell George-McLawhorn

Pray

God, I confess my sins are more numerous than I can count. I am sorry for the sins I commit, both known and unknown to me. Help me to see my sin and change my ways. I celebrate your forgiveness that lifts me up when I fall. Amen.

Go

God’s love for you is unconditional. God’s forgiveness is sure.

Live a life of gratitude for God’s grace. Offer to others the forgiveness that God has offered to you. By learning and living a life of forgiveness, your heart will be lightened, and your soul will soar.