let us be reconciled...

We had our annual crop walk today, to raise money for people who need food and clean drinking water both locally, and around the world. I think we walked some 5+ miles, maybe more I dunno... It was alot. Ian, Cosmo and I joined our local Christian community (ecumenical) in the walk to raise $$. We had perfect fall weather for the walk, and I just awoke from a nap, lol. Whew...

This Wednesday, our junior high kids have a Reconciliation service where they get to go to confession. My goal in the half hour "warm-up" I get them for, just prior to the service is to help them understand that this isn't punishment. It isn't to be feared, or dreaded. It's a chance for us to "get right" with God, before our priest, acting "in persona" as Christ, absolving us of our sinful selves.

I think so many people misunderstand this Sacrament, and it causes so much guilt and ill will. We need to be in good terms with God. Nto so much because we believe He is a punishing God, but because He wants us to be in His favor. There's a right way of living and there's all the other ways. This is our chance to acknowledge those things we say, think and do that aren't in line with His will for us. This is our opportunity to seek the forgiveness so freely given, and get ourselves reconciled to God.

It seems that there was so much that used to be made about fearing God, and being sent to Hell for our sins and what not that people naturally fear confession. It's God who sends us to Hell, is us, when we separate ourselves from Him by way of a sinful life. Then we have trouble. That separation is the natural result of living outside of what God wants for us. So, it's not Him who "casts us down" and all that stuff. It's our own choices and decisions, our misuse of the free will God has chosen to give us.

So, really the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession to the older Catholics) is really a celebration, a "homecoming" of sorts back to God. It's something we can look forward to. After all, God knows what we're up to at all times, so it's not like we're really shedding any new light on the situation. We're just owning up to our stuff and seeking forgiveness. It's a 4th and 5th Step with God and Christ in the person of our Priest. It's really a blessed gift, that I know I am thankful for!

prayer for today...

Thanks for the awesome day to walk for the purpose of helping others. Thank You for giving me the chance to begin to teach Ian about helping others, even if it was a pretty abstract thing lol. I pray for Your Will for those who are less fortunate, who are sick, separated from their loved ones and suffering. I pray that I might remember that I am here to serve!

peace be with you all!