The priest paces the room
The vestry lights are dimmed
His cloak slithers in the aftermath
The wind rustles the cobwebs
Shadows have the air of presence
Purple flashes in residual light
The face all but expressionless
As pale as the moon is sober
The cruel mouth gives him away
So do the flashy glass rings
The head held high in false reaching
When penitents come calling
They are only seeking forgiveness
Their silence veils their guilt
A contented cat licks its paws
On the windowsill in moonlight
Atonement lingers in the wings
Absolution awaits mercy
A door knocks; a man walks in
The penitent merely bows his head
His body shows a stiff posture
His hands folded but not in prayer
A person’s lust can always be forgiven
A person’s love need never be forgiven
THERE ARE THREE 'MOUNTAINS' TO CLIMB...THREE THINGS ONE MUST BE ABLE TO ACCEPT AND DO WHEN ENTERING THE 'FORGIVING' ARENA; #1, 'FORGIVENESS' HAS NOTHING TO DO WHATSOEVER WITH THE OTHER PERSON - YOU HAVE TO FORGIVE WHETHER THEY DESERVE IT OR WANT IT. HOW THEY ACT OR THE AIR THEY GIVE-OFF IS THEIR PROBLEM, NOT THE FORGIVER'S. AS I SAID, 'FORGIVENESS' IS, IN MANY INSTANCES, ENTIRELY ABOUT THE FORGIVER, NOT THE FORGIVEN BECAUSE THEY MAY NEVER COME AROUND(SMILE). #2, THE FORGIVER CANNOT PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT THEY WANT TO FORGIVE OR DON'T WANT TO FORGIVE. EITHER THEY ARE GOING TO FORGIVE THE OTHER PERSON FOR 'EVERYTHING' OR NOT. HOLDING ON TO A PIECE OF HURT IS PAINFUL AND IT IS EVIDENCE THAT RESENTMENT IS STILL THERE. #3 IS A PART OF FORGIVING WITH WHICH I HAVE A PROBLEM. IT IS EXTREMELY HARD FOR ME TO BITE INTO THIS REQUIREMENT AND SWALLOW. TRUE FORGIVENESS IS JESUS' KIND OF FORGIVENESS. JESUS' KIND OF LOVE. HE FORGIVES AND LOVES US AS IF NOTHING HAS EVER HAPPENED, DAILY. AND I STILL STRUGGLE WITH THIS. I CAN'T FORGIVE LIKE 'NOTHING' EVER HAPPENED. I DON'T STILL HATE(I'VE BEEN THERE)AND I AM NOT STILL ANGRY, BUT I DON'T TRUST THAT WHATEVER HAPPENED BEFORE WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. AND I REFUSE TO GIVE THE OTHER PERSON A CHANCE TO HURT ME AGAIN. SO, I FOLLOW THAT OLD CLICHE' AND 'FEED THEM WITH A L-O-N-G HANDLED SPOON'...I KEEP THEM AT-BAY. I ADMIT THIS SHORTCOMING AND BECAUSE GOD AND I TALK OFTEN, I KNOW HE'S WORKING ON ME. FOR, AS A CHRISTIAN, I AM TRYING TO 'FOLLOW' JESUS AND I KNOW JESUS FORGAVE ME, IN FACT, DIED FOR ME EVEN BEFORE I ACKNOWLEDGED HIM, OR, ANY OF MY TRANSGRESSIONS. THE WORD OF GOD SAYS, HE CAST 'ALL' MY SHORTCOMINGS AWAY, AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST. HE FORGETS COMPLETELY. HE WASHES THE SLATE CLEAN AND GIVES US ANOTHER CHANCE(DAILY) AND WE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR OTHERS. THIS IS PERFECT FORGIVENESS. I AM, AS WE ALL ARE, IMPERFECT(IN THIS AREA & OTHERS(SMILE)BUT I AM PRESSING-ON. BECAUSE I DO KNOW THAT THE LOVE OF GOD THAT FILLS ME IS MAKING A CHANGE IN ME LITTLE, BY LITTLE EVERY DAY. I DO ADMIT, I'VE GOT A LONG WAYS TO GO BUT THEN, THE REMOLDING AND RESHAPING OF US ALL IS IN THE 'POTTER'S HANDS...'IF' WE WANT HIM TO - AND I DO WANT HIM TO. THERE YOU GO, JOHN, YOU DID IT AGAIN. THIS SHARING PROVOKED A DETAILED ANSWER...I LOVED IT! THANKS FOR POSTING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS
Very descriptive of scenes I've seen in movies but have never experienced having never gone to a Catholic confessional. Indeed, very evocative and with a lesson at the end that is delightful. Lust wins but love is eternal.
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Love ya!
Jane
Rebecca
Ron