Basis of forgiveness


Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent

Luke 15:1-3,11-32 

The parable of the Prodigal Son reflects Goa as a God of mercy more than his is a God of justice as he waits for his long lost son.  God's justice is also his mercy.

God is offering us forgiveness on two levels:

First, on the level of extreme fallenness - one who actually has fallen into the depth of sinfulness.  Note the publican in the bible who prays, "Forgive me for I am a sinful man."

But the second level is equally culpable, sinful, and dark; like the pharisee who prayed, "Lord I thank you because I'm not like this publican."  It is the sin of pride, arrogance, and judging others. This sin is dark because the one committing the sin is totally blind to his own fallenness; he/ she only sees the sins of others.  That person is playing god.  This kind of sin is harder to forgive for the sinner has blinded himself.

Pray to be freed from pride in all its forms.  Stay humble and ask the forgiveness of God.  His mercy will flow to the repentant sinner, and his sins, eradicated.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ngayon isasama kita sa paraiso

Sinambit na ni Kristo ang ikalawang huling salita, "Ngayon isasama kita sa paraiso." Sinabi niya ito sa rurok ng kanyang paghihirap, sa panahong pati ang salaring nasa kanyang kaliwa'y tinutuya siya, "iligtas mo ang iyong sarili pati na kami." Sa krus, nakita pa rin ni Hesus ang dalisay na puso ng kanyang kapwa, "Hindi ka ba nahihiya sa iyong sinabi.  tayo ay nagkasala, ngunit wala siyang kasalanan." Handa na yung isang salarin na siya maparusahan.  Ang tanging kanyang nasambit na lamang ay, "Panginoon, alalahanin mo na lamang ako sa iyong kaharian." May dalawang uri ng pagtugon sa Panginoon.  Yung isa'y nanunuya, nang-iinsulto, sakim, makasarili, namimilit na siya'y iligtas at pagaanin ang buhay, Kahit ang iba'y naghihirap, siya'y hindi. Yaong isa nama'y humigingi ng tawad, mapagkumbaba.  Doon sasabihin ni Hesus, "Ngayon, isasama kita sa paraiso." Yaong isa, naniniwala sa paraisong nilikha ng Diyos noo
Read more

Beatitudes

Search "beatitudes" in the internet and you'll find this definition: a state of supreme happiness. I don't think that there is an event in our lives when we felt "supreme" or "utmost" happiness.  But Jesus tagged beatitudes to the meek and humble, the poor, sorrowing, and persecuted, and not to those who grew rich by luck or hard work, or to the powerful and influential. I think there is more more than outcasting the rich and the powerful and exulting the poor.  After all, who is the really rich and powerful in this world except those who are blessed in the sight of God. The beatitudes teach us a valuable lesson on choosing the real wealth, peace, and happiness.  For even in sorrowing, the Christian is consoled; even in pain the Christian feels peace.  Even in death, the Christian has life. Only God in Christ could give the Christian real and everlasting happiness.
Read more