40 Days of Seeking Him Lent 2012 ~ Day 22 Forgiveness and Humility

I have been, or can be if you click on a link and make a purchase, compensated via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value for writing this post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Right now I feel like I have a LOT of posts in my brain and not enough time on the computer to get them all out!

Today, I was reading the daily Scriptures and boy was there a theme of forgiveness running through it.  That is not a great surprise given we are in Lent and are called to reflect upon our sinful nature and how we handle it.

The Gospel reading today (Luke 18:9-14) not only has the thread regarding our need for forgiveness, but more prominent is the need for humility.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.

 

9 He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.

10 Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.

11The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector.

12 I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’

13 But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’

14 I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Did you catch that last line?

The one who humbles himself will be exalted.

 

The reflection today in The Word Among Us provided the following consideration:

When you are considering yourself, do you see someone stumbling on the path of godliness with the need to just try a little harder OR do you see a sinner that needs God’s Grace to help you live the life God calls you to live?

One aspect of the Catholic faith I love is the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  We verbally proclaim our sinfulness and ask for forgiveness in community during the Mass.  But, beyond this is the ability to go to a confessor (the priest) and vocalize the sins we know have been committed by us and for which we are truly sorry.

But, what struck me with this reflection is how easy it could be to bring a laundry list of sins to Confession and leave thinking that on our own volition we will strive to do better.

I don’t think that is a unique challenge.  But, I know that it is a way of thinking that I abandoned quite a while ago.  Yet, I appreciate the reminder that I need God’s help to live the way He taught us to live.

Lord, please help me to do all things with humility.

 

This year, I am joining Trish @ A House Upon the Rock in co-hosting the 40 Days of Seeking Him meme. The linky will be up each week so you can add in posts daily, weekly, or whenever you are able. The posts can be about anything related to Lent and preparing for Easter ~ crafts, food, devotions, music or reflections are all welcomed.

 

I hope you will join us on this journey as we prepare our hearts to receive the wonderful gift of salvation we’ve been given through Jesus’ death and resurrection.