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Peace comes when there is no cloud between us and God. Peace is the consequence of forgiveness, God's removal of that which obscures His face and so breaks union with Him. The happy sequence
culminating in fellowship with God is penitence, pardon, and peace -- the first we offer, the second we accept, and the third we inherit.
- Charles H. Brent
("Penitence, pardon and peace" . . . Where are you in this sequence at this
time?) |
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RV
5:1-10; PS 149:1-5; LK 19:41-44
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the
lowly with victory.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
USCCB Lectionary
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When God visits his people he comes to establish peace and justice for us by rooting out the
sin which cling to us. The Lord sets us free from all the forces that seek to lead us away from God and his will for our lives. Scripture calls these sinful forces (1 John 2:15-16, and 1 John5:19) the world - that society of people who are opposed to God and his ways, the flesh - our own sinful cravings or inordinate desires that lead us into sin, and the devil (called Satan and the father of lis) who tempts us to go our own way apart from God. God judges sin and he purifies his
people to heal and restore us to his way of holiness, peace, and love. God our Father disciplines those whom he loves for our good so that we may share his holiness (Hebrews 12:6,10).
Are God's judgments unjust or unloving? Scripture tells us that "when God's judgments are revealed in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness" (Isaiah 26:9). To pronounce judgment on sin is much less harsh than what will happen if those who sin are not warned to repent. The Lord in his
mercy gives us grace and time to turn away from sin, but that time is right now. If we delay, even for a moment, we may discover that grace has passed us by and our time is up. Do you accept the grace and strength God gives to help us to turn away from sin and to walk in his way of love and holiness?
"Lord Jesus, you have visited and redeemed your people. May I not miss the grace of your visitation today as you move to bring your people into greater righteousness and holiness of life.
Purify my heart and mind that I may I understand your ways and conform my life more fully to your will."
DailyScripture.Net
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The Cloud of Unknowing, by Anonymous How a perfect worker shall pray, and what prayer is in itself; and if a man shall pray in words, which words accord them most to the property of prayer.
Prayer in itself properly is not else, but a devout intent direct unto God, for getting of good and removing of evil. And then, since it
so is that all evil be comprehended in sin, either by cause or by being, let us therefore when we will intentively pray for removing of evil either say, or think, or mean, nought else nor no more words, but this little word “sin.” And if we will intentively pray for getting of good, let us cry, either with word or with thought or with desire, nought else nor no more words, but this word “God.” For why, in God be all good, both by cause and by being. Have no marvel why I set these words forby all
other. For if I could find any shorter words, so fully comprehending in them all good and all evil, as these two words do, or if I had been learned of God to take any other words either, I would then have taken them and left these; and so I counsel that thou do.
- Chapter 39 |
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