I am a follower
I am a follower of Jesus! Did you ever stop to think about what that REALLY means? Of course you have! I thought I had too, until yesterday morning when I meditated with the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. When I think of being a follower of Jesus, I think of “checking all the boxes” – worship, prayer, obedience, charity, forgiveness. Don’t get me wrong, that’s all great stuff. But there’s more!
Yesterday as I prayed the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, the meditation for the third Mystery: the Proclamation of the Kingdom, talked about Jesus describing a Kingdom that is not of this world, a Kingdom that calls sinners, not the just. As I pondered the scene, it occurred to me that being a follower of Jesus means acknowledging and revealing our imperfections and faults to the world. How many times have we heard the phrase, “Jesus came to call sinners?” If we’ve answered that call, then what does that make us? Honor that.
The judgment
I often think of the criticism and judgment Christians receive when they stumble. Honestly, I don’t think anyone of us is immune from it. It’s that phrase that starts with “Oh, some Christian he or she is……….” Imagine if the whole world understood that Jesus CAME TO CALL SINNERS. What if when the whole world saw you following Jesus (because they witnessed you “checking all the boxes”) they saw a sinner and not a saint? As I write this, I think maybe that would change the way people view Church. Maybe we’re part of the problem – we reveal to the world a self-righteous part of ourselves and hide the shadow because we believe that’s what being a follower of Jesus warrants.
What a relief
I’m relieved to know that “checking the boxes” doesn’t mean I have to be perfect – incapable of making mistakes or giving in to temptations. I can be the walking contradiction I am and be okay. As long as I remain open to allow Jesus to work in me and transform my heart one tiny bit at a time, I’ll be fine. I’m a work in progress and that’s alright with Jesus!
Forgiveness is key
Forgiveness of self is an integral part of acknowledging and revealing to the world who we really are. Today’s daily meditation from the Center for Action and Contemplation expresses that beautifully.
Sin and grace
From now on I will view the title of SINNER as a privilege and an honor because Jesus calls ME, the sinner and He is faithful! No wonder Pope Francis’ first words to the world after being elected Pope were I AM A SINNER! He understood the importance and grace of that moment! I hope you can too! God bless you!
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