We who are alive today have lived in extraordinary times. Never in history were so many ordinary people lured off the narrow way by so many lying signs, wonders and temptations. Few of us came through it unwounded.
There is little romanticism in not being a hero. Many men and women courageously crawl through their own failures, betrayals and sins without despairing, and only very slowly rise away from it all into painful consciousness and confrontation with oneself. When that fullness of time comes we learn that while we are not perfect we can begin walking and stumbling forward instead of backwards, we can love and stay close to Christ in the Gospels and Sacraments, do penance and pray for any whom we may have hurt —as well as for all other penitents who are likewise awakening everywhere.
All of this in the end is sign of the grace of Christ who does not forsake any, and who is still Shepherding us Home.
The regrets which come late, painful as they can be, are proofs of a conscience illuminated by the Light of the world.
You have done good in your life too. Now we can build on that in meaningful little ways that only He can see.
Proverbs 24:16 “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”
—See The Christian May Not Despair
Psalm 103
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor requite us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
so the Lord pities those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust
“May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world— St. Paul, Galatians 6:14
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.” — Mark 1:14,15
— Saint Francis de Sales’ Consoling Words on Forgiveness and Self knowledge
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