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 HEN
MARK TOLD ME that this month the topic would be
"Reconciliation through the Cross" I couldn't even spell it.
But that evening I was reading some prayers and this is one
of them. "We pray for those who have turned away from your
paths, that they may experience the grace of your
forgiveness and the joy of rising to new life." For myself I
would pray for all of us who have strayed.
 I
notice that people who write religion columns in newspapers
are often asked why bad things happen to good people. Why do
good people suffer? There is only One who is good but even
so the question needs an answer. What is this cross I am to
take up today?
In
the prayer I pray that we will experience the grace of God's
forgiveness and the joy of rising to new life. It's another
thing I would not have figured out -- if we had never sinned
we would not need a saviour. My pride is so great that
sometimes I think I can save myself. The daily cross is to
say the things Jesus said and do the things that Jesus did,
so what did he do? He did good to those that hated him, he
blessed those that cursed him, he prayed for those who
mistreated him. When we crucified him he said
Father forgive them. God paid
an awesome price to enter into a relationship with us. Our
relationship is through the cross. In the Lord's prayer I
ask "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who
trespass against us". Convicting words indeed. I'd better
forgive others because I am counting on God forgiving me. I
need a saviour. Simon the magician wanted the power without
the pain.
When
St. Pachomius founded monasteries in the Egyptian desert he
recognized that it is much harder to live in community than
to be a hermit and live alone. He was very strict in
allowing only men in the monastery. One day his sister
showed up wanting to start a monastery. He would not see
her. Subsequently he did help her found convents for women
but he insisted that they all be located on the other side
of the Nile River. One smart saint.
I
would like to be a recluse: I have to force myself to be
sociable. As age marches on I have a choice to become an old
fool or to become a fool for Christ. God have mercy; help me
so that I may experience the grace of your forgiveness and
the joy of rising to new life.
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