“O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers, for having sinned against you. But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!”

One of the things I love about the Catholic faith is knowing that I do not have to be perfect, because I have a perfect Savior. The awareness of knowing that I am a sinner is overshadowed by the knowledge that I am a saved sinner. However, I still experience feelings of shame, sadness, guilt, even embarrassment when I know I have fallen and sinned. I think it’s a natural tendency to want to hide when those feelings arise. It can be so hard to look into the eyes of people we have hurt, and even harder to turn to God who we have hurt. However, I believe God is calling us to turn towards him in those moments, rather than turn away. Our shame and guilt no longer have to consume us, but God’s unending compassion and forgiveness can fill us. When we are closed off, He is opening His heart to us through things like prayer, Scripture, the Sacraments, nature, community. This Lenten season, we may be fasting from something we tend to turn to as a distraction or because of a habit. Let us use that time or those moments that we would usually turn to those things, to turn to God instead.

Lord, thank you for your compassion and forgiveness. Please open my heart to accept these gifts and remember that they come from your ultimate sacrifice.

– Anonymous

“I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:13-14

“the best is yet to come”

I often find myself consumed in sorrow over past experiences and shortcomings and reaching for a future outcome that I am not yet ready for. As a result, living in the present moment is a challenging task for me. I am impatient and unwilling to heal and receive the necessary graces from God that will prepare me for the future I place my hope in.

Lent is always a challenging season for me because it forces me to wait, to confront my vices and attachments more closely, to reconcile with God and my neighbor, and to prepare my heart for the glory of the Resurrection. It is hard to be content when you are always trying to live outside of God’s timing; He will invite us into times to suffer, to heal, to wait, to cherish, and to prosper. While the past may seem pointless and the present unbearable, He is active and present through it all and His Glory that awaits will never disappoint you.
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Lord, I trust that You have a plan for me and that You are always true to Your promises. Grant me the grace of patience and hopeful anticipation, that I may be willing to live in the present moment You have called me to. Let me be aware and accepting of Your Grace. Come Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Peace and hope,

Kyle Desiderio