The Uncomfortable Pause

Have you ever noticed how incredibly easy it is to find sin in others? When our feelings have been hurt by another, we know they have sinned, even if we are unable to name the commandment they have broken. We can spot the sin in others just as easily as we can spot a stain on someone else’s shirt.

But what about our own sins? Are we able to spot those? Or are they like the clothing stains someone points out to us after a meal, unseen by us but obvious to others? In our group conversation, we were reminded that in our brief orders for confession and forgiveness, a pause is inserted just before the confession. Quite often it is a very short pause. Rarely is it a long uncomfortable pause, but maybe it should be, as it is our opportunity to mull over not just sins we are aware to have committed, but also how they may have affected another. Without contemplation, how easy is it to commit the sin again after being forgiven the first time?

Fortunately, our lesson today reminds us that the stain of our sins does not need to stay with us; it can be removed. Permanently. Thanks be to God!

Thank you, gracious Lord, for the gift of forgiveness. Amen. — LGR