Monday March 5, 2007
Monday of the Second Week of Lent
March 5, 2007
“Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your merciful covenant.”
Daniel 9:4
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I have asked many people what is astonishing about Jesus. Probably the most common answer I get is forgiveness. Jesus forgives unconditionally. No matter what the sin and who the sinner is, Jesus will forgive a truly repentant sinner. This is his covenant for us that will never change. He has sealed this covenant in his blood.
The convenience stores 7-11 can always be a reminder of Jesus unending mercy. 7-11 stores are open for business twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, all the year long. They are always open for business. And so is Jesus. He is always open to serve you and do the work he came to do. The work he came to do is to forgive! Whenever you see a 7-11 convenience store, remind yourself that Jesus is always open for business. He is ready to take your sin and shame and replace them with limitless mercy.
Jesus’ place of business is your heart. Whether you are at work, in the mall, on a plane, at school, home or church, on a mountain or beach or wherever you are, that is the place where Jesus does his business. One time I was in an airport and, from behind, I heard, “Hi, Fr. John.” It was a man who I knew from previous ministry. I asked him all about his family and we got updated. Near the end of the conversation he asked me when confessions were at my church and I told him and then asked him, “Would you like to go to confession right now?” (Fr. John, are you crazy? Asking a man to go to confession right in the middle of an airport with all these people around.) He did and it was awesome. Confessing his sins right in the middle of the airport as people were walking by. Tears trickling down as the Savior washes God’s child in tender mercy so that this child can run and play and sing free in God’s love once again. For, if the Son has set you free, you are free indeed.
You are forgiven. You are forgiven all the time, twenty-four seven, like 7-11. Sadly, in this country we are so consumed with work, business and making money. But the most important work and business is what Jesus came to do. He came to forgive and give us the freedom of knowing that forgiveness leads to eternal life. Yes, we are caught up with work but it is the wrong kind. We focus on so many trivial business pursuits in life and forget the most important work to be done.
And Jesus waits to get down to real business with you.
Live the confronted life!
+Fr. John
The convenience stores 7-11 can always be a reminder of Jesus unending mercy. 7-11 stores are open for business twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, all the year long. They are always open for business. And so is Jesus. He is always open to serve you and do the work he came to do. The work he came to do is to forgive! Whenever you see a 7-11 convenience store, remind yourself that Jesus is always open for business. He is ready to take your sin and shame and replace them with limitless mercy.
Jesus’ place of business is your heart. Whether you are at work, in the mall, on a plane, at school, home or church, on a mountain or beach or wherever you are, that is the place where Jesus does his business. One time I was in an airport and, from behind, I heard, “Hi, Fr. John.” It was a man who I knew from previous ministry. I asked him all about his family and we got updated. Near the end of the conversation he asked me when confessions were at my church and I told him and then asked him, “Would you like to go to confession right now?” (Fr. John, are you crazy? Asking a man to go to confession right in the middle of an airport with all these people around.) He did and it was awesome. Confessing his sins right in the middle of the airport as people were walking by. Tears trickling down as the Savior washes God’s child in tender mercy so that this child can run and play and sing free in God’s love once again. For, if the Son has set you free, you are free indeed.
You are forgiven. You are forgiven all the time, twenty-four seven, like 7-11. Sadly, in this country we are so consumed with work, business and making money. But the most important work and business is what Jesus came to do. He came to forgive and give us the freedom of knowing that forgiveness leads to eternal life. Yes, we are caught up with work but it is the wrong kind. We focus on so many trivial business pursuits in life and forget the most important work to be done.
And Jesus waits to get down to real business with you.
Live the confronted life!
+Fr. John
posted by Patti @ 6:12 AM
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