Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Like the Falling Rain, Cleanse Me Lord

Standing on my front porch, I watch the morning rain fall from the sky.

It trickles through the nearby trees, cleansing the dirt from the leaves, as it makes its way to the thirsty ground below.

The air is chilly, but the smell of the wet soil is so fresh.
I begin to think of my soul, and realize that it has been a while since I have made a good confession.


I look at my watch and see that I have time to get to morning mass.
Scurrying upstairs to put on shoes and grab my keys, off I go.

The church is dimly lit, but filled with the warmth of God’s loving presence.


Many people have made their way to church this particular morning, all wanting to spend a little time with the Lord before they start their day.

In the first reading, the Lord tells Samuel, “Not as man sees does God see, because he sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.”

These words touch me deeply and I repeat them to myself as I walk up to receive Him in the Eucharist.

Mass has ended and I noticed an elderly priest sitting in the very last pew. Walking over to him, I ask him if he would hear my confession, he says “Of course”.

I’ve never been very good at face to face confession, maybe because I come from the era of behind the screen and that is where my comfort is, but the priest is so welcoming that I am instantly at ease. When I finish he says those wonderful words, “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”


I feel so joyous. I hug him and almost dance out the door.

Driving home, I once again think about those leaves that have been washed with the rain and I thank God for washing me too!


DearLord,

I have so far to go, but with the help of the sacraments you offer, may I learn to see others as You see them and not by appearance. Open the door to my heart that I might look outside with eyes of love.

Amen

4 comments:

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Amen.

Thank you for this post.

God bless.

Anne said...

DG, this is lovely, just wonderful! There are no better words in the English language than "I absolve you from your sins" and "The Lord grant you pardon and peace." So refreshing! I love the picture with this post and how you relate the washing of the rainfall to the washing of our sins. Great, great and more great! God bless you!

kam said...

What a beautiful post, truly a sweet short story. I was with you all the way, especially when we noticed the 'elderly priest sitting in the last pew.' I could see him! Thanks for letting us into your life for an hour or two. As I sit here after a day, no, a week of, I'll say trials, you have helped raise my spirit up. Peace. k

Michael said...

A very moving post. And I have to admit, I feel the same way when I hear those words! (Although I still prefer the screen for now ...)