righteousness that surpasses

BOSCH, Hieronymus
Paradise and Hell
c. 1510
Oil on wood, 135 x 45 cm (each panel)
Museo del Prado, Madrid
Other works by the artist

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from today's Maginificat meditation...

Each one of us, if we examine our conscience well, will realize that apart from all the sins we commit, there is one that is different because we are more ready to commit it. It is that sin to which we are secretly attached and which we confess but without a real will to give it up. It is that sin we think we can never free ourselves of because, in fact, we do not want to free ourselves of it or, at least, not right now... Sin enslaves us until we truly say "enough!" ...

In a moment of recollection let us kneel down in God's presence and say to him, "Lord, you know my weakness and I know it too. Trusting therefore only in your grace and faithfulness I declare that from now on I no longer want that particular satisfaction, that particular freedom, friendship, resentment, that particular sin...I want to accept the idea of having to live without it from now on. I have finished with sin and with that paricular sin. I repeat Enough of that! Help me with your Spirit. Renew in me a firm spirit, keep my heart generous. I consider myself dead to sin."

After this, sin no longer reigns simply because you no longer want it to reign; it was, in fact, in your will that it reigned. There may be no apparent change, those around us may still notice the same faults in us, but where God is concerned something has changed because our freedom is now on God's side.

Fr. Raniero Cantalemsssa, O.F.M. Cap.

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why are we so afraid to give up that *one* thing -- you know you have one, too. i cannot possibly be alone in this! why is it so alluring that we reject God for that one thing that keeps us from making progress?

would love to hear your thoughts and i am off today so i can check back often in comments.......