clean at last
"I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall return to You." —Psalm 51:15
Do you regret having committed certain sins? Have you let your past sins make you feel "dirty"? The Lord has promised "to cleanse you from all your impurities" (Ez 36:25). "Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool" (Is 1:18).
The Lord will tread underfoot our guilt and cast all our sins into the depths of the sea (Mi 7:19). "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He put our transgressions from us" (Ps 103:12). He will thoroughly wash us from our guilt (Ps 51:4) and create a clean and new heart for us (see Ps 51:12; Ez 36:26). The Lord will simply forget all our sins (Ez 18:22), if we only repent and ask His forgiveness.
"I tell you, there will likewise be more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent" (Lk 15:7). The Lord wants to run out to sinners, throw His arms around them, kiss them, give them gifts, and have a special dinner in their honor (see Lk 15:21ff).
However, the Lord does not force His love, affection, and forgiveness on us. We must open the door by repenting. Go to Confession as soon as possible and let the Lord love and cleanse you.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for I know not what I do (see Lk 23:34).
Promise: "The invited are many, the elect are few." —Mt 22:14
Praise: St. Rose had a special heart for doing penance as a reparation for sin. She offered her body to God as a living sacrifice (Rm 12:1).
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on The Secret of Confession on audio AV 44-3 or video V-44.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 30, 2012
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