Blessed Are the Merciful
Mar 5th, 2007 by michelle
As I prepare for my life confession, I have been reading through the beatitudes and the ten commandments. I originally thought I could go through one at a time, maybe one a day, in order to generate a list that I can bring with me to my first confession. But as I began, I found that in some areas I do not struggle with too much, and in other areas, the floodgates open with my sin. Wow!
“Blessed are the merciful…”
- Do I show mercy to others?
- Do I forgive those who offend me?
- Do I try to understand those who are different from me?
- Do I talk about others? Do I revel in gossip?
- Do I say things, those possibly true, which need not be said but can only cause harm?
- Am I petty and small?
- Am I prejudiced, making judgments and coming to conclusions without proper facts but with pre-formed opinions?
- Do I actually prefer strict judgment to tender mercy?
This has really opened up my eyes to see sins that I didn’t even realize I had. I am quite obviously not as merciful as I would have liked to think I am.
Oh Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me a sinner!!
I just did this recently. Try not to stress out about it. Once it’s over, you will feel so much better, like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders.
I’m exciting about your family’s upcoming chrismation and all God is doing in your life through this process. I remember how much that booklet helped me when I was preparing for my life confession.
Dear Michelle,
Just wanted to wish you a blessed journey into the Holy Orthodox Church. It is so wonderful how, as we yield to our Lord, confessing our sins and brokenness, we become healed. And in the process we discover who we really are and in this we learn who our neighbor is.
Beautiful, and convicting. Thanks for the “translation” of the beautitudes into questions. Very powerful; I think I have work to do!