Cast Off From the Lord

"For no one is cast off from the Lord forever." (Lamentations 3:31)

The Lord does not cast us off, we cast ourselves away from God every time we sin.  As our sins pile up we find turning back to Him more difficult. Sometimes we are ashamed of our sins, other times we may be embarrassed by our sins, but God is not as concerned with what we have done as He is with us choosing with all humility to be reconciled to Him. No matter how great or how small our sins may be, God wants us to choose to forgive ourselves and seek His forgiveness so that we are no longer separated from Him.  

God pours out His love upon us and remembers our sins no more once we have confessed them and He has forgiven them.  May we never allow Satan to convince us that our sins are too great for God to forgive.  He is a liar and wants us to feel ashamed and think what we have done is unforgivable.  But the reality is, God’s love is greater than any sin we could ever commit.  And, we know without any doubt, that if we turn to God, confess our sins, and allow ourselves to be reconciled to Him, He will bless us and welcome us back into the fullness of His love.  How blessed we are.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I wish to turn back to You.  Help me to confess my sins and give You all my shame and guilt.  Help me to embrace Your love and forgiveness and be reconciled to You.  Thank You for Your love.  Thank You for Your forgiveness.  Thank You for accepting me as I am.  Amen.

The soul is more precious than the whole world!

St. John Chrysostom

Blessed is the man who loves thy name, O Mary.

St. Bonaventure

"How great is God - beyond our understanding." (Job 36:26)

How great is God, indeed!  He is all-knowing, ever-present, infinitely merciful, loving beyond comprehension, all-powerful, tender, compassionate, and accepting.  He is truly beyond our ability to understand.  

As His children, we are called to be aware of his constant presence with us, embracing of His guidance and wisdom, always forgiving as He forgives, completely accepting of ourselves and others, and humbled by His total and complete, unconditional love for all.  That's a tall order for all of us, but it is what we are called to be as imitators of Jesus Christ.  May we live out our call with grace and be a light to all we meet in this life.

Prayer:

Lord, God, You are great beyond my understanding.  You are everything to me.  Help me to focus on You and Your will for my life. Help me to be Your presence to all I meet.  May Your love flow forth from me and may Your light shine from within me.  Amen.

Thy name, O Mother of God, is filled with divine graces and blessings.

St. Methodius