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Liza Horstman I’ve always thought that I was pretty good at repenting. I have almost no trouble realizing when I am rude to one of my neighbors, or when I place more importance on material things than on my relationship with God. I even tend to beat myself up over these sins. But in all⦠Read More
Polly Wheat Repentance. A complex word—perhaps including regret, or contrition, or even shame. Is it “I’m sorry?” I hear this often from my wonderful granddaughter, who, as a normal 2-1/2 year-old, tests boundaries, not in-frequently stepping over the line. Mommy steps in—“Say ‘I’m sorry to Gammy and Papa.’” Several requests later we hear a muffled⦠Read More
Rebecca Zuber To be honest, I can’t wrap my brain around the word “repentance.” Is it an action? A state of mind? Something else entirely?? So, I turn to good old Merriam-Webster. First off, “repent” means “to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life.” Looking at “repentance,” it is “the⦠Read More
Kurt Andrews Every Lenten season I think of the last prayers of Jesus as he was dying on the cross. He prayed (Luke 23:24), “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” I’m amazed at how Jesus summoned the strength to ask God to forgive the very people responsible for his crucifixion as⦠Read More
Joyce Palevitz Honestly? It’s my brain that usually gets me into trouble. I have learned that my easiest path to judging another person – or group of people – is the fact that I almost always think I’m the smartest person in the room. My intellect, which I guard with fierce pride, is my burden.⦠Read More
Kathleen Udo Like manners, forgiveness is a learned skill only developed with time. The act of forgiveness is as important as the concept of apology. I still recall being “forced” as a child to tell my sister I forgave her for “stealing” something from me. My “verbal” forgiveness did little to calm the “rage” inside⦠Read More
Lindsey Summer Reynolds When we hear the Beatitudes, it can be easy to recognize ourselves among one or more of the blessed. Whether you’re feeling poor in spirit, mourning, or hungering for righteousness, these words apply to all of us at different stages in our lives. There is one, though, that can inspire us any⦠Read More
John Paul Cleveland These days there is much use of “alternative facts,” and people decry that we live in a “post-truth” era. Truth comes off as a weapon to be used by those in power or those seeking power. Therefore, we find ourselves stuck believing that mere truth is a contestation between rivals or that⦠Read More
Karen G. Prudente Acknowledging that I (or another) may have caused hurt can be a painful process of self-discovery. Numbing and denial make it worse. Facing my trials with complete honesty helped faster recovery. Immediately putting on another’s shoes for perspective helps me better understand my reactions. I do my best to suspend and eliminate⦠Read More
Kyle C. Bisceglie The Sermon on the Mount tells us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44) We do this because “if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (5:14) Likewise, we hear: “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.” (7:1)⦠Read More