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Reflection: |
Memories
of my
own
failings
of the
heart
stay
with me
years
after
the
original
incidents:
giggling
inappropriately
at a
fellow
classmate's
performance
at a
speech
contest
and
causing
her to
lose her
self-composure,
backing
out on a
commitment
to
mentor a
young
girl,
neglecting
to
recognize
the
contribution
made by
a valued
employee
to a
team
project,
passing
on
unconfirmed
gossip
and
causing
harm to
the
subject
of that
gossip.
Fear,
pride or
thoughtlessness
trumped
love and
I knew
it. So
imagine
the deep
devastation
experienced
by the
Israelites
when
Peter
tells
them God
had made
both
Lord and
Messiah
"this
Jesus
whom you
crucified"
(Acts
2:36).
"Brothers,
what
should
we do?"
they
implore
with
profound
contrition.
This
story
teaches
us much
about
God's
forgiveness
in the
face of
our sin.
First,
we must
pay
attention
to that
felt
sense
that we
have
acted
wrongly
against
another.
Then,
feeling
this
sense,
we must
seek to
repair
the
damage
we have
done,
often by
asking
that
question—What
should
we do?
Finally,
we must
welcome,
as did
the
three
thousand
persons
who were
baptized
that
day, the
answer
to our
question,
whether
it comes
from our
own
intuition
or from
the
guidance
of a
friend,
mentor
or
divine
source.
The
good
news on
this
Third
Sunday
of
Easter
is that
God
continues
to wash
us clean
with the
gift of
the Holy
Spirit
whenever
we seek
to make
amends.
That act
of
forgiveness
starts
with
paying
attention
to the
conscience
residing
in our
own
hearts.
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