A BEAUTIFUL SHORT PRAYER OF REPENTANCE

Lord Almighty, God of our fathers,

God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

God of their righteous descendants,

you created the universe

and all the splendour that fills it.

The sea obeys your command

and never overflows its bounds.

The power of your wonderful, glorious name

keeps the ocean depths in their place.

When you show your power, all creation trembles.

Your glorious splendour is overwhelming,

and your anger is more than sinners can endure.

But the mercy you promise is also greater

than we can understand or measure.

For you are the Lord Most High;

you are patient and show mercy and compassion.

You make our punishment easier to bear

when we suffer for our sins.

O Lord, in your great goodness and mercy

you promise forgiveness and salvation

to those who repent of their sin against you.

You, Lord, are the God of righteous people.

Repentance was not necessary

for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

for they did not sin against you.

But for sinners like me

you have made repentance possible.

I have committed more sins

than there are grains of sand along the seashore.

They are so many, Lord, they are so many.

I have done so much that is wrong

that I am not worthy to turn my face towards heaven.

I am crushed beneath the weight of my sin;

I am bowed down by its heavy iron chain.

I can find no relief, for I have made you angry.

I have set up idols everywhere; I have done what you hate.

But now I bow in deep humility, praying for your mercy.

I have sinned, Lord, I have sinned;

I confess the wicked things I have done.

I beg you, Lord, I earnestly pray; forgive me, forgive me.

Do not destroy me because of my sins;

do not be angry with me forever or store up punishment for me.

Do not condemn me to the world of the dead,

for you, O Lord, forgive those who repent.

Show me all your mercy and kindness and save me,

even though I do not deserve it.

Then I will go on praising you as long as I live.

All the heavenly powers sing your praises,

and your glory endures forever.

Amen.

                  

(Manasseh)

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

A LESSON FOR ALL

Mary is an advocate, who is able to save all

St. Andrew of Crete says, “The Queen of Heaven is so gracious and liberal that she recompenses her servants with the greatest munificence for the most trifling devotion.”

But we need to adhere to Her two important conditions.

·         Our soul should be free from sin and impurity when we offer Her our devotion.  Or else She would address us, as how she dealt with an irreverent soldier, says St. Peter Celestine.

There was this soldier who performed everyday some devotion in honor of our Lady. One day he was very hungry, when Mary appeared to him. She offered him the choicest and delicious meat all in a filthy plate. Though the meat looked appetizing, yet the sight of the filthy plate could not bring him to taste it.

“I am the Mother of God,” She said “and I have come to satisfy your hunger.”

“But, O Lady,” he replied, “I cannot eat from such a dirty plate.”

“And how,” responded Mary, “can you expect Me to acknowledge your devotion, arising from your soul, which is so tarnished with sin.”

The soldier realizing the truth got converted and became a hermit.

Thirty years later, at his death bed, the Blessed Virgin appeared and took him to Heaven.

The condition translates into such as that one must live without sin, or at least have the desire to forsake it then, Blessed Mother will surely help them.

 Whereas, if they continue sinning, on the hope that Mary will save them, he would be considered unfit, unworthy and incapable of Her divine Protection.

·         The second condition: Perseverance in our devotion towards our Mother Mary is essential.

St. Bernard highlights, “Perseverance alone will merit a crown.”

When he was dying, his Jesuit companions crowded the young St. John Bachmans, to solicit him on the most pleasing devotion that they could perform to our Lady; to which the saint replied, “Any devotion, however small, provided it is constant.”

Anyone who is constant in his devotion to Mary, will be Blessed in his confidence and obtain all that he desires.

But as no one is certain of their perseverance, no one before death can be certain of their salvation either.