Shedding a Little Light

“Let the one among you who is without sin, be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8: 7

In one hand, we hold many stones and in the other mercy. Our human nature often bids us to judge others. We judge, convict, and carry out the punishment. We do this every day. Do we actually throw stones? No, but we throw out words which can be just as painful. We want someone to be punished for our pains or suffering and so use our words to defame them. We spread gossip to be sure that they feel some sort of pain in return for that which we have judged as wrong. With anger and the intent to hurt, the words fly out of our mouths, and we cannot take them back.

Yet, every day, we pray the Lord’s Prayer. We ask, “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” What if we are truly to be forgiven in the same manner as we have forgiven? Think about the grudges we harbor. Think about the pain and hurt to which we cling. Think about the stones (words) we have thrown. Do we really want God to respond to us in the same way?

Pray this week that your hand that holds onto the stones is able to release them harmlessly to the ground. Pray that your tongue which would speak hurtful words remains quiet. Pray that your hand of mercy may be opened along with your heart to offer healing words and forgiveness to others. Pray that you may respond to others in the way you would pray for God to respond to you.

Have a blessed week as you pray, fast, sacrifice, and lift up your heart and hands and voice to God, in order to …

Keep Living in the Light

Bernie