Crossing The Chasm

A Reflection on the Psalm for February 14th, 2021:
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Psalm 32

R. You are my refuge, Lord; with deliverance you surround me.

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the one to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 

R. You are my refuge, Lord; with deliverance you surround me.

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. 

R. You are my refuge, Lord; with deliverance you surround me.

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart. 

R. You are my refuge, Lord; with deliverance you surround me.

Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

There have been times in my life when the weight of unforgiveness has hung heavily in my heart, surrounding it with impenetrable walls of stone. I have injured others, and too many times to mention, have injured myself through my own transgressions. I have carried the weight of unforgiveness in those times, spending time either defending my actions or hanging onto the guilt of my poor behaviour; convinced that I am a wicked person completely unworthy of forgiveness. I have held onto secret pain, sure that if I speak it out loud to another, I will be discovered for the unlovable fraud I really am in this life.

I remember once, after a period of adoration before Jesus, being moved to confess. There was a long line of others waiting to receive the sacrament, and a large room of local priests, including my own parish priest. Knowing the dirt I was taking into that room with me, I prayed as I stood in that line that when my turn came, I would be led to any of the priests but my own.  How could I confess honestly what was in my heart and ever be able to see him again? As my turn to enter the room came, the door opened, and of course the next priest available was my very own pastor and friend. I sat in the chair across from him, unable to meet his eyes, and my heart broke open. Years of transgressions tumbled out of my mouth in true contrition. It was as if a deep chasm that had been stretched between God and I was closing up as every word I spoke placed a solid plank in the bridge that would allow me to walk fully back into His waiting arms. My pastor and friend listened intently and without judgment. When I was finally finished, he spoke these simple words: “That is not who you are anymore. You are a beloved daughter of God.”

He placed his priestly hand on the crown of my head and lovingly absolved me of everything I had spoken out loud, soaking me with that overwhelming, unexplainable, incomprehensible joy of forgiveness. I was washed clean, and that deep chasm between God and I closed up tightly.  My priest friend stood in persona Christi to hug me, and I fell into His loving arms with weightless relief. In that moment, my heart knew without a doubt, I was indeed a beloved daughter of God.

Father God, thank You for loving me so much that You set me free from the chains that once bound my heart. Help me to always walk in Your light and deliver me from all evil. Amen.




Sandy Graves
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