I have felt ashamed a few times in my life. It wasn’t a good feeling. It hurt, was embarrassing and made me want to bury my head to avoid being around others. I felt lonely and isolated. And, in the end, as today’s passage in Romans explains, I gained nothing. Allowing sin to permeate our lives and becoming its slave can leave us feeling trapped.
Yet, God’s grace also allows us to choose the opposite! His gift liberates us from that enslavement and releases us from shame. It puts us on the right path. Yes, the road is sometimes rocky and difficult. But, steeping ourselves in Scripture and daily prayer, staying close to the Sacraments and connecting with virtuous people helps. In Christ we are truly free!
Thank you for sharing, Sister Teresa. I love how when we let God into those places, He redeems us from those shamed-based messages of childhood in amazing ways. His healing grace be upon you. Love how our Lord's using the words in Living Faith as an instrument in your life, too. Blessings.
*** My past reality in Romans 6:20, "Once you were slaves of sin. At that time right living did not control you!" *** My current reality in Romans 6:22, "You have been set free from sin. God has made you His slaves. The benefit you gain leads to holy living. And the end result is eternal life!" *** Thank You, Jesus, for changing and paying for my reality in Romans 6:23, "When you sin, the pay you get is death. But God gives you the gift of eternal life. That’s because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done!" ******* The foundation to my current reality as Paul described in Phillipians 3:8-9, "Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with Himself depends on faith!" Amen ✝️
Lord please help me to warsh away my sins help me to sin no more in Jesus name I pray.
Amen, Craig.
Yes steeping ourselves in scripture daily prayer are the answer. Thanks Kathleen for your contributions to this site. Whenever I see your post it reminds me of my wife and best friend first name and you share your last name with my bestfriend from high school and still today. Living faith family I have finally watched the video "Jesus revolution " impressive. Please Continue pray for Terry Carl and his mother Maryanne and Stephanie and her daughter Christine. Lena and the folks in Ukraine middle east and the victims in Maine. Ken
You are most welcome, Ken. I treasure the name my Daddy chose for me. And so glad for the gift of a special Kathleen in your life. Love that you also have that special connection with your HS friend too. Prayers and God's blessings.
Thank you for a thoughtful reflection this morning, Kathleen. Too many times in my life have I been ashamed of my thoughts, words and actions. Dear Jesus please forgive me, I am so sorry if my words or actions have hurt anyone and I pray that I will live long enough to make up for my past mistakes. Thank you for the grace of reconciliation and for your forgiveness and Love.
Certainly, Peggy. Amen to your prayer and to the gift of Reconciliation and our Lord's grace.
Wanting to break the old ties of sin is not easy and does include prayer, the Sacraments and, most importantly, “connecting with virtuous people.” Those whom we choose to spend time with can have a major impact on how we live our lives, for better or worse. Being with people we admire for the way they reflect Christian values and are not ashamed to share their faith in God is a step to becoming a better version of ourselves by nurturing our own spirituality. Many years ago I prayed that God would send good people into our lives and we and our family have been blessed overwhelmingly by being surrounded by loving friends who share their love of Jesus in every way. As one of our group recently shared, “We are walking each other home.”
Amen, Anne. Surrounding ourselves with virtuous people who are not ashamed to share their faith, so nurtures our own spirituality. I continually pray for the sending of virtuous people into the lives of my loved ones.
Kathleen wonderful words for all of us to strive for in our lives. May God guide us each day and may we hear him in all our thoughts and actions. Prayers to all those affected by the shooting in Lewiston, Maine. Blessings to all the LFF. May we all go out and spread the love of God to everyone we meet. Blessing to all those with special requests Barb, Griffin, Cass, Judy, Suzan, Bill L., Stephanie, Maryanne, Carl, Beth, Christine, Victoria, Terry Danny, Betsy, Pam, Liz, Scoop, Vincent, Salina and Jessi, Marco and anyone I missed or those that hold their needs quietly in their heart. God is there for all!
Thank you, Stormy. I echo your prayers for all our Living Faith Family.
Lord, please hear our continued prayers for those in the Ukraine and the Middle East and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Thank goodness (and Christ’s mercy) for the sacrament of confession to put us on the right path of forgiveness of all our bad choices and resulting embarrassment!
Yes, Sandy. Thank God for His mercy and the sacrament of Confession. I love how He waits with open arms to welcome us home!
Chemo treatment #3 for my sister, Barb, today. This is the halfway point in her treatment plan. Praying that the treatment is successful without too many painful side effects. Heavenly Father, wrap Your loving arms around Barb as she goes through another treatment today. Give her the strength to continue on this journey to health. Through Your power, heal her of the cancer within her. Pour Your grace down upon her family. Amen.
Sending healing thoughts Barb’s way and asking God to let her feel him be with her on the journey. Amen.
Beth, May our Lord's love and healing surround both you and your sister, Barb.
Beth...yep, I've got Barb tucked in my daily prayers to Saint Michael of the Saints who was a trusted friend and intercessor for all those afflicted with cancer. As well as, Cass, Griffin, Judy and for ALL who are walking this road right now. I was on that same road...and still walking!
Beth, My prayers for you and your sister Barb.
Sending prayers of hope and healing for your sister Barb today and strength for her to tolerate the treatments without too much difficulty. If I remember right, I think you’re not physically with her, but your heart and Love are helping her get through this. God’s blessings to you too.
Prayers for Barb. May the chemo cure the cancer and may her road to recovery be smooth. Prayers for her caretakers also.
Beth I am praying for you and your sister Barb now and at Mass this morning. Chemotherapy is not fun your support is great. Ken
Amen..thank you Kathleen...Lord help me to sin no more
You are welcome, Cheryl. Blessings. And Amen to your prayer.
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I read this reflection last night in my booklet, and I so related to it! I am working on "shame" as I deal with healing from my childhood. And I dealt with this issue yesterday, the same day on which this devotional appeared. God is so present to me through the "Living Faith" - I've been a subscriber for over 30 years. Thank you to everyone who contributes. God be with you!