11/03/2022

Before reading this morning, past sins had come into my mind and with them a total annoyance at my own behaviour. I was completly horrified and seized up with embarrassment. The readings tell me that I can be forgiven and come back to life in Christ. The problem is that I am more ashamed of my sins for my own sake. I cannot truly say that I am as strongly aware of them as offences against God.

The De Profundis takes me back to past funerals. I cannot understand  the modern "Celebration of Life" that happens now. The funeral is for the present living; the dead are dead to this world and have already met their reward.

Jesus tells us  that it is we the living who need to strive for the perfection he has brought to this world and our lives in it. It is not just the commandments that we must follow but all their implicatons. Swearing and anger at one another is sinful and must be recognised as such before going to the altar. "Going to the altar"  is for us the receiving of the "Body and Blood of Christ"; the Father Son and Holy Spirit;  the only acceptable gift we can bring is a soul free from sin with a mind and heart totally aware of the presence of God our Saviour.

Dear Lord you know the totality of my sinful life and that I really try to see sin as an offence against you but am overpowered by my human fraility that is more ashamed for itself .The saints in heaven have all been through this humanity and can add their pleas to mine as I cry to you "out of the depths".