Snippets
Or ruminations…
I woke up this morning reciting the psalm, “When you see a thief you go with him, and with adulterers you throw in your lot. To your mouth you give free reign for evil, you harness your tongue to deceit.” - Psalm 50
I understood the meaning of the prayer in the following terms (from the same psalm), “I will correct you by drawing your sins up before your eyes.”
“It is good for me to be afflicted, that I may know your will.”
I am amazed that the work of self-knowledge takes one so very deep, and can last a lifetime - or perhaps longer. A verse from another psalm echoes from the depths; “From my hidden sins, acquit me” or something to that effect. (It is a prayer someone in denial - me - needs to pray often.)
Although it is true, I have confessed my sins and returned to His will and He has forgiven me, yet the knowledge of what sin is, and the cumulative effect can be nearly overwhelming. Hence, when the psalmist says, “If a good man rebukes me, it is kindness” - I say “Amen!”. You see, when Our Lord shows us the nature of our sins, or our propensity for sin, and the effects, it is a great mercy which grounds us in humility. If he permits others to “call our bluff” and accuse us of our sin, or perhaps reveal it to others - it can be even more efficacious, since we may no longer pretend we are better than anyone else - especially to ourselves.
Thus, “if a good man rebukes me, it is charity” and I dare not defend myself, recalling how Christ who was sinless, stood condemned and remained silent.
“Seek good and not evil… then truly the Lord will be with you as you claim.” - Amos 5
Ah! “How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” - Matthew 7: 14 Constricted indeed, something libertines mock the Christian for - yet such constriction permits the spirit to soar.
And the Holy Spirit, who convinces the world concerning sin, says to my soul, “Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth? Though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?” - Psalm 50
Today is adoration day at my parish.
“But I, because of your abundant mercy, will enter your house; I will worship at your holy temple in fear of you, O Lord.” - Psalm 5
(I’ll be off-line the rest of the day.)
