Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Repentance and forgiveness
An excerpt from Acts 3:17-4:4 (NRSV)
Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah appointed for you, that is, Jesus.
Reflection from Marjie Koons:
Growing up and being dragged to the confession booth as a child, I never really felt that my sins would ever be forgiven nor would I ever be loved or accepted by our Lord….even after saying the prescribed punishment of ten Hail Mary’s and two Our Father’s. It was not until many years later, when being overcome with my past, that I knelt at an altar and truly heard the words of Psalm 103.I was blessed beyond belief when I actually believed and understood those words in the Psalm “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us”. At that moment I felt the presence of our Lord, I felt forgiveness of my past, and truly know that Jesus is my Savior. I pray that His everlasting love and comfort will surround you and comfort you with His everlasting presence.
For further study and prayer, the readings assigned for today are:
Psalm 125; 2 Kings 2:9-22; Acts 3:17-4:4
Painting by Jon Dutcher, “Near Adel.”
Music
“Simple Gifts”
Trad. folk song, performed by Alison Krauss and Yo-Yo Ma
“When true simplicity is gain’d,
To bow and to bend we will not
be asham’d,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come
round right.”
Tags: Advent & Christmas
