I opted for evening Mass, and because I was blissfully alone, I was able to focus on the worship
and Scripture and sacredness of the hour.
(I didn't grow up Catholic, it was a choice I made when I was 26.
I guess you could say I was a non-denominational evangelical before I made my conversion.
Presbyterian, Four Square, wherever I felt like I should be, that's where I was. Maybe more of that story later.)
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st. patricks cathedral, new york |
Before communion each week, we say a simple prayer.
"Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed,"
which is taken from Matthew 8:8.
It's one of my favorite prayers.
Tonight as my head was bowed,
I thought of my unworthiness,
my sin,
the hurt I've caused God's heart.
And in that quiet moment, these words were whispered to my heart:
"You are my daughter."
Yes, I do wrong. Over and over and over again.
I make a thousand selfish choices day after day.
I hurt my Father's heart.
But that doesn't change my identity as His.
As a royal daughter of the King of Kings.
Why do I doubt that God would do for me what the brokenhearted father did for the prodigal son?
That in my failings and misery, I can come to Him confident that He will run for me,
throw His arms around me, and welcome me with joy and gladness
and tears of thanksgiving?
He does. He will do it a thousand times a day until the end of time.
Not just for me, but for you.
You are the royal child of a King.
My heart longs to embrace that identity, to strive to be worthy of my calling,
to remember, with humility, that I am His.
Now and forever. Amen.
Beautiful, and so true. xoxo
ReplyDeletethanks, jami. i am going to link it up with "we encourage", too. :)
DeleteThanks for linking up! I'm so thankful for the amazing grace of the Cross, of the mercy portrayed in the Prodigal Son...where we find that Christ's forgiveness and deeming us children has everything to do with His worthiness and not ours! Praise Him!
ReplyDeletethank YOU for hosting such a great link up :)
DeleteOh the wonderful cross, where we find our true identity in Him! :)
ReplyDeleteso true!
DeleteMentioned how great I think you and your fam and your blog are today on my bloggy blog. :)
ReplyDeleteMae
(www.AugustMagnolia.blogspot.com if you get a sec.)
oh thanks, sweet lady! i'll head over.
DeleteBeautiful post, I just love this. I can relate so much! I grew up Catholic and that prayer was always so powerful to me, too! Thank you for sharing your heart! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI am not Catholic but I do LOVE to be in a Catholic church. It feels so reverent. My favorite part of visiting Mexico was to visit the churches. Your pictures are beautiful!
ReplyDeletethis post is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteis that the mission?
Too right. I have been learning this past weekend - it's not about who we are, but whose we are.
ReplyDeletebeautiful post and a beautiful prayer. we are not worthy, and yet we are His.
ReplyDeleteSaying “HI” from the Blog Hop! I’m already a follower and LOVE your blog. ^_^
ReplyDeletehttp://our-reflection.blogspot.com/
wow friend what an amazing realization.
ReplyDelete