HIDE AND SEEK

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)