If society in general no longer recognizes sin for what it is, do we even have a sense of our need for forgiveness and mercy? Comprehending the magnitude of God's love through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, should fill us with an abundance of hope. It should also bring awareness of our sincere need for the Savior.
The Catholic Eucharistic Liturgy offers us numerous opportunities to seek God's mercy. Have you considered the many ways we remind ourselves of the need we have of God's grace and forgiveness when we gather as a community of believers? As we enter into the church building we dip our finger into the holy water font to remind ourselves of our baptism. We sign ourselves with the sign of the cross. Do we take time to reflect upon what that means? As we approach the pew we pause and genuflect to the King of kings present in the tabernacle. What does this genuflection mean to us in regard to our relationship with Christ?
As the liturgy begins we have the penitential rite. This is simple and straightforward when we say, "Lord have mercy." We enter into the celebration of the Eucharist with humble and contrite hearts. We pray the Lord's prayer and once again ask for forgiveness--as we forgive others. (Do we really understand what we are saying there? If we are holding onto grudges this prayer has some serious consequences.) Then we clearly ask the Lamb of God to take away our sins and have mercy on us. Finally, before we receive our Lord in Holy Communion we once again acknowledge that we are unworthy for Jesus to enter under our roof, but if He only says the word we shall be healed.
A major concern can arise if we are simply going through the motions with all of these meaningful prayers. If it is simply a mechanical process that we are following the odds of encountering God profoundly are extremely limited. Does the accusation of Jesus apply to us today? "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." (Matthew 15:8)
Experience the love, forgiveness, and mercy of God in a wonderful way this weekend. Let His Divine Mercy transform you and bring you healing and hope!
The Catholic Eucharistic Liturgy offers us numerous opportunities to seek God's mercy. Have you considered the many ways we remind ourselves of the need we have of God's grace and forgiveness when we gather as a community of believers? As we enter into the church building we dip our finger into the holy water font to remind ourselves of our baptism. We sign ourselves with the sign of the cross. Do we take time to reflect upon what that means? As we approach the pew we pause and genuflect to the King of kings present in the tabernacle. What does this genuflection mean to us in regard to our relationship with Christ?
As the liturgy begins we have the penitential rite. This is simple and straightforward when we say, "Lord have mercy." We enter into the celebration of the Eucharist with humble and contrite hearts. We pray the Lord's prayer and once again ask for forgiveness--as we forgive others. (Do we really understand what we are saying there? If we are holding onto grudges this prayer has some serious consequences.) Then we clearly ask the Lamb of God to take away our sins and have mercy on us. Finally, before we receive our Lord in Holy Communion we once again acknowledge that we are unworthy for Jesus to enter under our roof, but if He only says the word we shall be healed.
A major concern can arise if we are simply going through the motions with all of these meaningful prayers. If it is simply a mechanical process that we are following the odds of encountering God profoundly are extremely limited. Does the accusation of Jesus apply to us today? "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." (Matthew 15:8)
Experience the love, forgiveness, and mercy of God in a wonderful way this weekend. Let His Divine Mercy transform you and bring you healing and hope!
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