Baseball is a game of hope; it’s a game of second chances. Each batter takes a turn at the plate and, no matter if he gets a hit or not, he’s given another chance – and another and another – when his turn comes up again in subsequent innings.
God gives us more chances, too. Infinitely more chances. When we choose to do or say something that is unloving and hurtful, something that pulls us away from Him or from each other – when we sin – He allows us to come back to Him and be forgiven again, and again, and again.
Our God is Love and Mercy. We may have a hard time believing that God loves us and will forgive us, especially if our parents were hard on us or if they weren’t capable of loving us the way we needed to be loved. But He does, and He will. Always.
Take comfort in the fact that God doesn’t keep score. He doesn’t keep track of the times you’ve failed or the errors you’ve made. He knows you mean well. He sees your efforts to love the people around you in the best ways you know how. He knows your weaknesses and still He loves you and offers you His forgiveness time and time again. He wants to free you from the weight of your sins; He wants you to know the joy that comes with that freedom.
Think of the relief you felt as a child when you finally told the truth about something you had been feeling guilty about. There may have been consequences for your actions and still, above all else, you felt relieved at having gotten it off your chest. You were forgiven; you could put it behind you, finally. Christ offers us this same kind of relief on a much deeper level in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where we unload our burdens of guilt to Jesus hidden in the priest. We ask our Lord to forgive us for those times when what we chose to say or do hurt someone else or pulled us away from the Love of God. We express our remorse. Then Christ Himself wipes our slate clean, sets us free from our guilt, and lets us try again. Our hearts feel light, our confidence is restored, our joy is deep!
No matter how often you fall, Christ will forgive your sins every time you ask Him to. He will forgive them and forget them. He’ll give you another chance. And another. And another.
“...You gave Your children good ground for hope that You would permit repentance for their sins.” – Wisdom 12:19
“Lord, thank You for inviting us back to You over and over again.”
Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2023 Gina Bedell Comments are always welcome!
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p.s.
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