The Coming of Christmas: The Longing, the Lessons, and the Letting Go
To the Ends of the Earth: Witness – Week 10, Day 1 – To Be Forgiven Is to Be Blessed
Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there for ever; my eyes and my heart will be there for all time.
2 Chronicles 7:14–16
Confessing sin can seem like a dreadful prospect. Men especially fear being exposed, appearing weak, and facing punishment. Yet this worldly view blinds our eyes to the truth. When we come before God’s throne with contrite hearts, laying our sin before him and begging for mercy, God does not condemn us but welcomes us home like the prodigal son of Luke 15. Our humility and transparency open the ears of the Almighty. Just as God restored the land of the Jewish people, so he restores the lives of those who come to him in faith in the sacrament of Confession.
Through confession, we are relieved of our burdens and empowered to live as God wants us to live. Set free from our sin we are empowered to carry the blessed message of hope to others so that they too may find rest and renewal in the arms of the Savior.
Questions for reflection
What obstacles have kept you from the sacrament of Confession? Are those obstacles still in your life?
When have you experienced Confession as a time of cleansing and renewal? What was that like?
How can you carry the joy of your forgiveness into your actions toward others?
Praying with Scripture
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger for ever because he delights in mercy. (Mic 7:18)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
You can watch and listen to this devotion HERE
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About the Author
Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
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