i have a pretty extensive lists of blogs i visit and being so out of commission doing other things lately (read: nothing), i've had a wonderful chance to catch up on my reading. there are so many blogs out there saying so many good things, i thought every now and again i'd highlight one that struck a chord (resonated, if you will) with something i am attempting to do in my life, starting yesterday at 4:00 p.m.a backslide isn't a relapse, or so i was told in addictions counseling class. i am aware of my backsliding ways and i think after said slide of yesterday afternoon, i got fed up with myself, went up to my prayer room and dropped to my knees. i am finally sick of myself and feel it is time to repent and change my ways. Petey, my faithful cat-panion who overheard my confession to God, acknowledged my sincerity by nuzzling up to me and licking the salt from my face. God implanted a bit of ease and peace to my sorrowing heart. it was good.
it was by no small coincidence that at yesterday afternoon's Mass, repentance was a topic that was looming large. it felt good to listen to it. i needed to hear it, just as i needed to read the homily of a thoughtful priest this morning:
The idea of changing our ways, of changing our hearts, is the idea of metanoia. It is a Greek word that literally means “change of heart”. It means that we look at the things we have done wrong in our lives and truly regret these sins. It means repentance which is being sorry. This kind of change of heart and repentance usually leads to conversion where the person really tries to change his ways. He embarks on a new life with God and lives according to God’s ways. This whole process of repentance and conversion is, of course, under the heading of God’s Grace which is what moves a person to change his or her heart...grace.
God doesn’t just call us to change, and then leave us on our own to do it. He gives us all the help in the world to do it. When we receive the grace of the sacraments, we receive God's help.
God's grace is so good.
