“Your sins are forgiven.” Jesus
Recently I sat at Catholic Mass to pray the Kyrie Eleison, or “Lord have mercy,” and experienced a powerful moment of grace. As the musician beautifully sang the prayer, I felt neither guilt nor shame. On the contrary, it moved through me like a river of love. Whatever guilt, regret, or self-contempt I was holding onto was washed away. I felt free, loved, and empowered to begin my life anew in God’s grace. If we have lived long enough and are honest with ourselves, we will admit to having feelings of remorse which often manifest as toxic self-reproach. Indeed, the ego is a tortuous taskmaster. Thus, at certain times we all need to hear from a spouse, friend, or spiritual mentor, “You are forgiven and loved unconditionally; today is a new day.” We all need God’s loving mercy embodied in a human being. Jesus revealed God to be nothing other than pure, unadulterated love. Mercy is a manifestation of love. Today, be like Jesus. Don’t cancel yourself or anyone else. Instead, offer the hand of forgiveness to yourself and others.
Lord have mercy;
Christ have mercy;
Fill me with mercy
For myself and others.
