I was reminded of the woman in the bible, who being so overcome by his majesty and having nothing else to give, washed Jesus' feet with her tears. What a beautiful image. How I long to wash his feet with my tears of sorrow and gratitude. May i daily give him all of me. May i daily surrender every thing that I hold dear for the sake of my Lord and Savior. What grace He has given me! He lowered his crown and died the bleak, dark death of the cross so that I might be lifted up into his radiant, light-giving glory. And so I shall glorify him. Thank God for his abundant mercy and love. I came to your eucharistic table oh Lord, offering nothing but a broken heart, and you freely offer me your love- a gift beyond any in this world. All honor and praise be to Him!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
He sacrificed his blood
I attended the eucharist for the diocesan convention this evening and had a not so original, but beautiful reminder of the power of Christ's love for us. He gave his blood for me, and all i can give him in return is a broken heart. How, knowing that he sacrificed his divine flesh, could I not long to give him all of me, though I am broken and reeking of sin. And yet, even as I give him all that I can, he gives more. He takes my scarlet heart and washes it in his blood once again. I can give him nothing that he needs, and yet his love for me is so great, so unconditional, so unselfish, so powerful, so divine, that wrapped himself in our skin and walked our earth that He might draw me into His arms and call me His child. And when I fall into sin and become subject to evil and death, his grace is sufficient for me. So what can I give my King?
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Since you aren't responding on AIM for what I hope are technical reasons, I shall instead share myself in the space provided. :o)
ReplyDeleteYour potent writing reminds me of all the divine juxtapositions contained in the beautiful revelation of Christ's loving sacrifice. Collectively we have no more to offer than we do individually, as our spiritual poverty is such that we cannot sum our currency for so small a purchase as justification for a single soul. How wondrous that the riches of Christ can make us grateful debtors and yet also joint heirs. You describe this perfectly by quoting my favorite portion of the liturgy, the lines I am utterly delighted to fit into normal conversation whenever possible: "In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all." I heard those words the first time I visited an Anglican church and the result was my journey to confirmation.
I think the most amazing part of the story of the woman who washed Christ's feet is his acceptance of her gift. Who can say she had nothing to give, when the Creator of the universe received her tears in charity as faith, and gave her grace in return. Each thing that I am or have I measure by the return it brings when exchanged and yet none of the things I actually value in my life can be exchanged for an ounce of grace. Perhaps my measurements use the wrong standard.
yours,
Matt