"Gospel holiness has little to do with moral achievements or the elimination of defects (that is an ego need). It is almost entirely about receiving God's free gift of compassion, mercy, and forgiveness."
Fr. Richard Rohr, Daily Meditation, 7/19/16
There is something so deeply ingrained in us that we get what we deserve. If we are good we are rewarded; if we are bad, we are punished. But a deep look at the Gospels show us that Jesus turned much of that upside down. He even told the people that tax collectors and prostitutes will enter the Kingdom of heaven before the pious and holy and how could that even be? It's because, hopefully through God's grace, we will realize that we cannot save ourselves through our actions, prayers, and words. Eventually we accept our human state and, in fact, rejoice in it. We recognize that we are made in the image and likeness of God and God loves us, faults and all. Our sanctity, as St. Therese of Lisieux says, is God within us. "Oh my God--to be Yourself my Sanctity!" If we think we need to please God from afar we are wasting precious time that could be spent enjoying God's love, forgiveness, and mercy. Let's think about this today and revel in the beauty of it! Love, heidi
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