A prayer of Repentence re-establishes our Relationship with God and Gives us Strength to over-come the evil in our hearts.
Jesus tells us how two men went (at the same time but not together) to the Temple, each to have a 'heart to heart' with God. Jesus said that the first man thought he was 'good' and the second thought he was 'bad'. However, Jesus pointed out that what really mattered was what God thought about each of them.
The first was a religious zealot. Calling him 'devout' would be putting it lightly! He knew that he was 'religiously' righteous, was proud of the fact and wasn't afraid to let anyone else know as well! He even felt that God, now and then, needed to be reminded of what a 'truly holy friend' he was to Him!
This devout man, (a Pharisee) went directly up to the front of the sanctuary, close to the holiest place in the Temple (where the 'righteous' people prayed), took his place with pride and 'prayed to himself' saying, "God, I thank you that I am not like other men. They steal, cheat, and commit adultery . . . and I especially thank you that I am not like this tax collector! Two times in the week I do not eat - I fast. I give away one tenth part of all I get."
The other man was a terrible sinner - well known for living a wild and destructive life. He hadn't been to the Temple in a long time, though he believed in God and His goodness. He was a tax collector (a 'publican') and worked for the Roman government (universally hated by the Israelites). He appreciated that his pay got him the 'finer' things in life. He wasn't afraid to abuse body and soul with booze and loose women (prostitutes) - and live a life without the values and principles that guide the holy friends of God.
But secretly he despised himself - probably even more than the 'righteous' people did! He knew God had been faithful in blessing him, had always loved him (affirming that which was truly wonderful within him - God's very 'image'), even though he had plunged himself into spiritual filth by turning from God's high hopes for his life. Feeling disgusted with himself (and also driven by the emptiness in his heart and his desire for what was good and right - for God), he found himself that same night praying in the Temple. He had sneaked in and stood as far away from the most holy place that he could (afraid of the 'righteous' people who prayed there). He wouldn't raise his eyes to heaven but hung his head in shame - his heart broken. He beat on his chest with his fist - beat at the heart that had become so cold and unfeeling toward his good God - and cried out within his own soul, tears of sorrow streaming down his face, "God, I am a bad man! Help me!"
Francis said the same thing but using other words, "Lord, be merciful to me . . . a sinner!"
Jesus concluded his story of the 'good' and the 'bad' by saying, "I tell you, when this last man went home, he was right with God. The other one was not." Jesus explained that the 'sinner' left the Temple at peace with God - reconciled and also armed to fight against the sinful tendencies of his wicked heart. The supposed 'righteous' man, left . . . still at war with God - still a slave to his sinful nature (unrestrained and self-destructive sensual desires) and totally unaware of the fact that God was not with him, had rejected him and despised his prayer! Thus, we see that Jesus affirmed the sinner as the 'good one'! (This story is in Luke 18:9-14.)
All of us are sinners and being 'religious' doesn't change that fact. A 'sinner' is a person who is a rebel against God (even if they are unconscious of that fact). A sinner does and says, thinks and feels things that are opposed to what is good and right - characteristics of God's own personality. Unless you have NEVER sinned (that includes in your thoughts as well!) and ALWAYS do what is right then you are a sinner in need of repentance (of doing penance). St. Paul said, "All have sinned and fallen far short of what God expected them to be."
This is the most important prayer a person can make in their life. This prayer tells God that we are sorry for the harm we've done - to God, our soul and body, others and the rest of creation - and also that we really want to be good, like God our Father. God is enabled (He won't force our 'free will') to forgive, embrace and comfort us in our distress. This embrace leaves us healed, refreshed and encouraged spiritually. We are, thereafter, ready to live responsibly, with the power of His love and in the great joy that this love brings. Alleluia!
This prayer can remain the most powerful prayer for the rest of your life. Jesus said, "Happy are those who recognize their great spiritual need for they shall experience the presence of God." If you want to be spiritually rich then you must realize how utterly spiritually poor you are. This knowledge humbles you and allows you to learn and be transformed into Jesus' 'friend' - becoming spiritually rich. If you think you are already 'good, righteous, holy' you won't be changing any time soon - you're already 'perfect' - in your own mind! The spiritual (humble) man surrenders himself to God and is changed in the process, into a true child of God. The true child of God acts and speaks like his heavenly Father who is so good.
Francis celebrated the fact that he had STARTED down the path of penance (conversion). Initially, members of the Secular Franciscan Order were called 'brothers and sisters of penance'. This means for us that penance is not something we do solely to re-establish our relationship with God, but is a life-changing process that we struggle through everyday. Jesus said, "You must deny yourself, take up your cross DAILY and follow me."
Francis knew that he was a sinner, had always been a sinner and would always be one (though of course, he hated the fact - though not the knowledge of it!) Even if he might not be able to recall a specific sin he had committed during that time, he knew that sin came from his evil heart - a heart that was very slow to change from it's evil ways. Only God can change one's heart and God will only do it for us if we ask - invite him. Francis continually surrendered in fervent prayer that 'wicked thing' to God.
This prayer is simple, uses few words, but Francis used them effectively throughout his long nights of penitential prayer - throughout his life of faith. Earnestly, fervently, with the greatest sorrow, many tears, a broken heart - he called out to God. Throughout his life he never stopped acknowledging his sin or his need for God's help to be a good man - a godly man.
I don't know about the rest of you but I have some idea of how sinful I am. After all, it was my sins that put Jesus on the cross - that wonderful, good and holy man. I try to unite my prayer to that of the 'sinner's' (because that is what I know that I am myself!) and to Francis' (because he is a person I want to be like!)
Join me, brothers and sisters, on this road to conversion, this path of penance: true (on-going) reconciliation (and transformation!) with our loving Father. Let us go on doing fervent and sincere penance every day. Soon, the process of penance will make us pure and holy and we shall be able to look into the face of God (as we walk with HIm) . . . and see Him smile with delight! Alleluia! What pure bliss and inexpressible joy the moment we can look into His eyes and ' know even as we are known'!
No comments:
Post a Comment