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  My Witness

Vol. 15, No. 2, April, 2010

The Lord Does Not Hold Our Sins Against Us
by Sr. Brigid Meierotto, S.N.C.

Sister Brigid In this teaching, we will accept the word of God, the Scriptures into our hearts and minds, letting them be light to us. The Scriptures are the inspired word of God which has the power to accomplish what it says, for us. Yes, for us, right here. right now!

The Scripture we are reflecting upon is in Exodus, chapters 14 and 15; and Luke, chapter 15. Read these passages slowly, prayerfully.

As you read the Scripture, in your heart ask the Holy Spirit to explain to you the message that the Lord has for you personally. Do not doubt that the Lord Jesus will do this for you, because that is why he came, so that you can get to know and to love Jesus. "These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you" (John 14:25f). Ask the Holy Spirit what you expect from him...something like this: "O Holy Spirit, Jesus said that you would teach me all things and I believe him. Teach me that the Lord does not hold my sins against me! Teach me that the Father does not want me to be lost! Teach me that the Father has a heart of compassion for me and for all his people! Teach me to love Jesus with my whole heart, giving him praise and adoration with every breath! Thank you, O Holy Spirit."

God does not hold our sins against us -- he is our Father -- he made us, loves us, heals us, has a plan for our life! The Father does not want us to be lost. He wants to deliver us from death, to save us! The Lord does not have sin on his mind -- the Lord has mercy and compassion on his mind!

In Exodus we see the Lord's tremendous work of freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt -- the celebration of the Passover -- giving his people a new life. The Lord does not hold our sin against us -- he does whatever it takes to free us from every evil that destroys our life. And what it takes is Jesus. The Father sends his only son, Jesus, to reconcile us, to bring us back to himself. For our sake, he made Jesus who knew no sin -- to bear our sin -- so that we might become a new creation -- having new life -- the life of his Spirit!

In this wonderful parable in chapter 15 of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus describes the Father's love for us. We can each see ourselves in the person of one of the sons. The younger son grows tired of the daily grind, and says to his Father: "Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And the Father divided his living between them."

In not many days, the younger son gathered all he had, told the family, "I'm out of here!" and set out to make his fortune, anticipating a glorious and successful life. Not so! He made very bad choices. In a country far away from home, he squandered his property in loose living. When he was starving, he came to himself, and said.

"How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son...'"

What is the Father doing during his son's absence? He is getting eye strain, looking down the road, anticipating -- hoping -- for his youngest son's return.

"...while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."

The Father is not holding our sin against us, keeping it before his mind; that's what the elder son does. The elder son has anger in his heart; he wants his brother to pay back, to make restitution, to suffer for his sins. Not so the Father! The Father dresses his repentant son, feeds him, gives a party for him. They make merry because this son who was dead -- is alive!

The Lord has a heart of compassion for each of us; he loves us -- he comes in person to save us, to heal us, to give us life. Whatever life we are lacking, Jesus has the power to heal!

Closing prayer: Thank you, Spirit of love, for teaching me that the Lord does not hold my sins against me! Thank you for teaching me that the Father does not want me to be lost! Thank you for teaching me that the Father has a heart of compassion for me and for all his people! Continue to teach me to love Jesus with my whole heart, giving him praise and adoration with every breath! Thank you, O Holy Spirit." Now the prayer to Mary: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus! Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen!"

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