“You can always begin again, because God is more eager to forgive than we are to sin.” St. Alphonse’s Liguori – The Way of Salvation.
Begin again…how many times have we tried to do that? Whether it’s decluttering our homes, re-starting a fitness plan or promising to spend more time in prayer.
So how many times can we make the same mistakes and still ask for forgiveness?
Sometimes I think God is shaking his head at me, thinking “Really?…this again?” (Inserting whatever “this” happens to be at the moment).
So I wonder…is God’s mercy really unending?
Can we really just begin again?
Can I change the habits that lead me away from God and make choices more in union with His plan?
…Let’s leave those thoughts right here for a moment. I think it’s safe to say this writing and reflection project is going to raise many more questions than answers…
Back to the passage…today it says, “we fast, not to punish ourselves, but to make space for grace”.
I typically viewed Lenten fasting as deprivation.
I never considered my efforts to fast as a way to give thanks, offer intention, or honor God.
Approaching fasting as a way to make space for grace, well…that changes the narrative.
What if I try to make my fasting more intentional?
What if I dedicate it for someone, or something?
What if I “make space for grace” and accept God’s forgiveness?
And, as implied in the passage below, this year…my challenge will be to leave my sins in the past…
“Don’t carry last year’s shame into this new season. Begin again. Grace is already here.”
