Ave Maria Meditations
The Courage to “Cut off our sins”
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“I grant forgiveness to the man who weeps over his sins:
Not to the sinner who hopes that I will delay in coming.”
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After sinning I thought of confessing but the Enemy whispered to me,
“Do you dare? How could you bear the penance you would be given for such great offense?’
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“The punishment in this world is light compared to that in the next!”
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Out of shame I remained in this wretched state, arguing that I could not possibly confess such abominable sins to the Priest.
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“Better to feel shame before my priest than suffer it in grief when I shall pass judgment on You, and all your sins will be trumpeted in the presence of a vast multitude.”
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Say no more. I yield. I repent of my transgressions and my utter lack of prudence. Have mercy on me, O Lord.
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“Since you have surrendered to Me, I embrace you. and may this pact endure for all time, for I cannot abide ingratitude.”
+B. Jacapone da Todi OFM
