The Forgiveness of Sins
I believe in the forgiveness of sins.
Reading (Luke 15: 11-24)
A man had two sons. The younger son said to his father, "Give me my share of the inheritance."So the father divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son took all he had and departed for a distant country. There he squandered his property in dissolute living. After he had spent everything, a famine came over that country, and he became destitute. He hired himself out as a laborer, and his job was to feed the pigs. He would have gladly eaten what he fed to the pigs, but no one offered him anything.
Finally he came to his senses and said to himself, "My father's hired men have more than enough to eat, and here I am starving. I will go to my father, and say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I do not deserve to be called our son, but take me in as one of your hired men.'"
So he set out for his father's house. While he was still far off, his father saw him approaching, and was filled with compassion. He ran to him and put his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I do not deserve to be called your son...."
But his father would not let him finish. He called out to the servants, "Bring him a robe and sandals, and get a meal ready. Let us eat and celebrate. For this son of mine was lost, and now he has been found."
Song (Psalm 51)
Have mercy on me, O God, in your kindness;
In your compassion blot out my offense.
My offenses, truly I know them;
My sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned;
What is evil in your sight I have done.
From my sins turn away your face,
And blot out all my guilt.
A pure heart create for me, O God,
Put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me out from your presence,
Nor deprive me of your Holy Spirit.
Give me again the joy of your help;
With a spirit of fervor sustain me.
O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall declare your praise.
Reflection
God's greatest gift to man is the forgiveness of his sins. Yet most of us spend our entire life unaware that we are even in need of forgiveness. And so we are never at peace, because although our heart is divided, we are not aware of our need to be made whole.But at some point we must come to our senses, and realize who we are, what we have done, and how flawed is our existence. Only then are we ready to turn to God and accept the wonderful gift of forgiveness.
When we humble ourselves, and acknowledge our sinfulness, and turn to God with all our heart, we will find the inner peace that is known only to those who are touched in the depth of their soul by the mercy of God.
Prayer
Lord God, you created us for love, but our sins have separated us from you. You have not judged us as our sins deserve, but have shown us the abundance of your mercy. We resolve with the help of your grace to turn away from sin, to make amends for the wrong we have done, and from this day forward to live according to your will.
Read another reflection on forgiveness