The truth can be devastating. It can also set us free. Admitting our poor choices takes too much effort, so excuses usually suffice. It sugar coats the reality we live day to day. The problem is, it will all catch up to us at some point. As Christians, we are called to speak the Truth . . . so why do we continue to make ourselves appear happier, smarter, more powerful, richer, etc. than we really are? Excuses. Facing the reality of who we are and what we have become could mean we are just like every other human being . . . flawed. Yes, I am imperfect. But every day I try my best to overcome my flaws and do it a little better than I did the day before. Sometimes I succeed. Sometimes I fail. Each day God gives me on this earth is an opportunity to become holier through self-examination drawing closer to Him. After all, I will meet God Face to face someday. And, there will be no excuses allowed.
In today's Gospel (Luke 14:15-24) Jesus, in so many words, asks us to STOP making excuses and focus on God:
One of those at table with Jesus said to him, "Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God." He replied to him, "A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, 'Come, everything is now ready.' But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, 'I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.' And another said, 'I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.' And another said, 'I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.' The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.' The servant reported, 'Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.' The master then ordered the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.'"
In Anne a lay apostle's book Transforming Grace, she provides an excellent formula for self-examination:
"For example, I was afraid and then I did this _____. I was addicted and then I did this _____. I felt rejected and then I did this _____. I was hungry and then I did this ____. I was assaulted and then I did this ____. I was un-parented, rudderless, confused and then I did this ____. I did not take responsibility for my strong emotions and then I did this _____. I stopped self-examining and then I began to behave this way _____.
To be clear, this is not to make excuses for ourselves. This formula helps us to gain self–awareness.
Each person can adapt this but the practice is one which ensures an experience of mercy. One can hardly condemn oneself when one sees that our human weaknesses and our inclinations toward sin are understandable given our wounds. And if one practices understanding others in this way, also, one will be compassionate to others."
Lay apostles, is there someone or something you make excuses for? Do you make excuses for yourself so you appear to be better than others . . . better than you actually are? Think about it. And, the next time you are about to utter an untruth, remember there will be no excuses on judgment day.
Thank you, Lord, for teaching me that no matter how imperfect I am, You see the real me with such love and compassion!
God bless,
Bonnie
In today's Gospel (Luke 14:15-24) Jesus, in so many words, asks us to STOP making excuses and focus on God:
One of those at table with Jesus said to him, "Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God." He replied to him, "A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, 'Come, everything is now ready.' But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, 'I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.' And another said, 'I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.' And another said, 'I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.' The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.' The servant reported, 'Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.' The master then ordered the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.'"
In Anne a lay apostle's book Transforming Grace, she provides an excellent formula for self-examination:
"For example, I was afraid and then I did this _____. I was addicted and then I did this _____. I felt rejected and then I did this _____. I was hungry and then I did this ____. I was assaulted and then I did this ____. I was un-parented, rudderless, confused and then I did this ____. I did not take responsibility for my strong emotions and then I did this _____. I stopped self-examining and then I began to behave this way _____.
To be clear, this is not to make excuses for ourselves. This formula helps us to gain self–awareness.
Each person can adapt this but the practice is one which ensures an experience of mercy. One can hardly condemn oneself when one sees that our human weaknesses and our inclinations toward sin are understandable given our wounds. And if one practices understanding others in this way, also, one will be compassionate to others."
Lay apostles, is there someone or something you make excuses for? Do you make excuses for yourself so you appear to be better than others . . . better than you actually are? Think about it. And, the next time you are about to utter an untruth, remember there will be no excuses on judgment day.
Thank you, Lord, for teaching me that no matter how imperfect I am, You see the real me with such love and compassion!
God bless,
Bonnie
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