In our childhood days we might
have played Hide and Seek. It is also
called as Thief and Police game. As adults we continue the same with the Lord.
Thinking that He doesn't know it. IT - the sin we want to conceal from HIM and
even from our own selves.
This game started with Adam and Eve came down to
generations with Zacchaeus, and still continues. Why do we play this? Because
1.
We lack in the true knowledge of God our Lord, (Psalm 139, Hosea 4:6, Isaiah 5:13, Jeremiah 5:4). We think of our Lord as a strict military officer waiting
to punish(Psalms 89:33).
2. We lack in our Faith (John 8:45-46). But the core
or the root is
3. We Lack in our LOVE for HIM. (Jeremiah 16:11)
We are not able to believe that
HE is Merciful more merciful than we can imagine and think. We do not want to
admit our sins for fear of shame. Our pride is too big to accept any correction
and we cannot and do not want to lose our respect, our image created by our
outward appearances. Therefore we play this game with The Lord, with ourselves
and with others.
To admit one's mistake or sins we
need to have a greater courage to trample on the world's' opinions, to pull
oneself out from all the hide outs which he finds comfortable and convenient. A
courage not to look back or go back to the past, to put an end to all that
leads to that sin. This courage has a determination to look only to the Lord
and not to the world. It calls for
greater love and trust and self-denial.
This is what took place in the life of St. Mary Magdalene (Luke 7) and
Zacchaeus (Luke 9). In the life of St.
Augustine and St. Francis of Assisi. They had a courage to admit their sins
because they knew and believed in His merciful love. They had the courage to
overlook the opinion of the world and let go off all their hide outs. They had
the determination to follow HIM alone and never to turn back.
Am I playing a Hide and seek with
the Lord?
Let us pray to the Holy Spirit to help us to be
brave enough to admit our sins humble enough to ask for forgiveness good enough
to believe in His Mercy and strong enough to endure till the end. Amen.
(by Sagayam Therese)
(by Sagayam Therese)
