Feb 7 Fri
Should I admit my faults?
King David sinned but repented. He said to the Lord, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O Lord, I pray, take away the sin of your servant; for I have done very foolishly."
God wants us to acknowledge our sins and not hide them from him. Sincerity is the first step towards repentance. We are damaged goods; original sin makes us inclined to sin.
Thus, we should acknowledge our repentance with David: I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. We should bear in mind our particular circumstances, because God has given us so much, and He will demand a lot of us. If a person favored by the Holy Spirit and abundantly gifted by God falls into sin, it is not the same as when someone without such privileges commits the same fault.
“We must have clear ideas and a clear conscience. We cannot allow ourselves to do wrong things and say they are holy."
What should I do? The sacrifice that pleases God is a contrite heart.
St. Josemaría asked himself, “In what can we take glory? I am nothing but wretchedness. I should struggle to convert my wretchedness into something divine. Everyone who struggles is on the road to sanctity. Even though God doesn't want our shortcomings, He uses them to improve our humility and our sanctification."
“The best devotion is to make acts of contrition. We should always be returning like the prodigal son. There's no reason why we should drag a trail of wretchedness behind us. We should place it all in God's hands, and with true humility tell him, along with St Peter after his denials: Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you. You know that I love you despite my weaknesses. That way our wretchedness doesn't separate us from God. Rather it brings us closer to him, just as a child who has fallen does not turn away from his mother. "Mummy!" he shouts, running to his mother's arms. Or if he is a bit older, he runs to his father, whose arms are stronger... If we have made a mistake, big or small, let's run to God! God will not reject a contrite and humble heart."
“The Christian vocation is one of sacrifice, penance, and contrition. We must make reparation for our sins - for the many times we turned our face aside to avoid the gaze of God - and all the sins of mankind."
Only God, whom we have offended, can remove from our hearts the hardness that keeps us from recognizing we have offended him. So, if He ever sends us suffering, we should see it as a divine means to purify our soul, and as a special opportunity to show true Love and make up in some way for our previous lack of love. “If God wills that we be struck down by some affliction, take it as a sign that he considers us mature enough to be associated even more closely with his redeeming Cross."
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