I Did It My Way

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2 Maccabees 9: 11 - 12

At last, broken in spirit, he began to give up his excessive arrogance, and to gain some understanding, under the scourge of God, for he was racked with pain unceasingly. When he could no longer bear his own stench, he said, "It is right to be subject to God, and not to think one's mortal self equal to God."

Meditation

Who is this man so broken in spirit that he finally turns to God? His name was Antiochus IV, a Seleucid king, who reigned upon the Hellenistic Syrian kingdom from 175 BC to 164 BC. His goal was to suppress Judaism. The worship of Yahweh and all of the Jewish rites were forbidden and the punishment was death. Judas Maccabeus led his Jewish brethren to war against Antiochus. Antiochus met one defeat after another until he finally understood that he was subject to God and not equal to or above Him. In repentance, he set the Jewish people free and "adorned them with the finest offerings". He offered to restore the holy temple and begged that they would be kind to his son. 

Who is he? He  represents most of us when we want to do it "my way"! Remember Frank Sinatra and his famous song, where he sung "I did it my way" ? If your way and God's way match, you're on the right track. However, most of the time that's not the case. After falling many times some of us eventually turn to God, say sorry and and ask for forgiveness while most of us today just continue on, straight ahead, no matter the cost!

Forgiveness! For many of us it is far easier said than done. How many of our daily choices and actions, even for our church, community or loved ones are based on our reaction to  unresolved issues of the past, meaning we have underlying guilt that is constantly driving us. With guilt we have a few options: we can blame someone or a situation, we can minimize our wrong doing and say it was no big deal,  or we can compromise and lower our standards for ourselves. However, guilt cannot be buried; the past always comes back to haunt us. The Bible says,

"If we say, "We are without sin," we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from our wrongdoing." (1John 1: 8 - 9)

To get rid of guilt there is only one option: confess what you have done wrong, in other words confess your sins. Some of you may say, " I have already told God about what I have done wrong  and I have said I'm sorry BUT I still feel guilty and not forgiven!" God knows exactly what you have done but He wants you to admit it. There is another important step to be taken. You have to tell someone. Only then will you be healed.

For Catholics, confessing their sins means going to speak to a priest in the sacrament of reconciliation. For other Christians, it means confiding in someone. For both, the person must be someone they can trust, and who will always accept them no matter what they say. It means revealing who they truly are. Jesus says, 

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed." (James 5: 16)

The first words of Jesus on the Cross were about forgiveness, His forgiveness for each of us. God, The Father, gave His only Son for our salvation. Jesus died for our past, present and future sins. He said that all of humanity's sins are like a drop in the ocean of His mercy! 

"Father forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

"We know not what we do!" We haven't got a clue about what we did or are doing, especially when we are following our own will and not God's! He gave us free will and He only intervenes if we give Him permission through prayer. 

Meet the Challenge

This is a tough lesson. Who do you need to forgive? Do you need the forgiveness of God? The reward is worth it. If you learn to accept the forgiveness and grace of God, you can begin to forgive and want the grace of God for others also. It can be a very long process depending on where you are with God. This week take some time alone in a place where you feel at peace and undistracted. 

* Ask the Holy Spirit to shine a light upon the dark areas in your life where there is pain and guilt. 

* Write down on a piece of paper everything that comes to your mind. 

* Pray about what you have written down.

* Leave it for a few days and then examine your conscience a second time.

* Last but not least. If you are Catholic, find a priest who you can just talk to if you have never been to confession. And he will help you to make a good confession. If you are uncomfortable talking to the priest, try just closing your eyes and speaking to Jesus as if it were only you two in the room. The priest forgets everything that you have said. He is also sworn to secrecy. 

* If you are a Christian, find someone in your Church who you can trust and speak to freely. Ask them to pray with you also. 

REMEMBER: God forgives instantly ! He doesn't say. "I'll think about it."

                       God forgives completely ! Everything you have done and will do wrong.

                       God forgives repeatedly ! It is His greatest gift for each of us.

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. "(Matthew 6: 14 - 15)

Sometimes it feels impossible to forgive someone who has done us wrong and hurt us so much. God knows your pain so just ask Him to forgive that person for you and to show you the way step by step. If you humble yourself before God, you will slowly recognize and depend on his Mercy. Your salvation comes from God's steadfast love and mercy for you. 

Let's Pray

Come Holy Spirit and shine your light upon me. Show me all those dark spots in my life that I need to wash out in order to become more like Jesus. Help me to admit my wrong doing no matter how ashamed I may feel or how painful it can get. Fill me with your wisdom to learn what is right from wrong. Cleanse me and give me the serenity that I need to do your will. Thank you God for those who will help me to see clearly and to become the person that I was created to be. 

Let's Praise Him

Let us learn how to lean on the Lord! Listen to this fantastic performance!



Community prayer

Breathe into me Holy Spirit

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. (Saint Augustine)

Thank you! 50 people prayed

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Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone. Col 4:6

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RUAH – Breathe through me Holy Spirit

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