Devotional Thought of the Day:

Spiritual life is—and I repeat this again and again, on purpose—a constant beginning and beginning again. Beginning again? Yes! Every time you make an act of contrition—and we should make many every day—you begin again, because you offer a new love to God.  (1)

What?  You thought a blog with this title was going to be about politics?  Nope – something far more important.

I thought about “translating”  St Josemarie’s statement into “lutheran”, but the basic concept is solid, and I will mention the change in a moment.

It is to easy to look at life as if one action, one slip up, one sin can break us.  It doesn’t matter if that sin is ours, or if that sin is one committed against us.  If we trust’s Christ’s promise, it is not even the 1001 first sin that becomes the “straw that breaks the camels back.  For there is no such thing.  In 1 John 1, God promises, “ On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. “1 John 1:9 (MSG)    That promise is good, and true.

And here is where I differ slightly with St. Josemarie.   Here is the one I remember from growing up:

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins, because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.

The change in the modern Act of Contrition, with the insertion of “do penance” is the only real issue I have.  For absolution is promised with confession, and is already promised and delivered in baptism. So I’ll stick with the old AoC.  Or more simply – and perhaps with a sense of great need… cry Lord Have Mercy!  ANd know with absolute assurance… He has!

We are free – we have a new beginning.

Let us celebrate the mercy of the Lord!

(1)Escriva, Josemaria (2011-01-31). The Forge (Kindle Locations 1503-1506). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.