to walk worthily of the Lord, pleasing him in all respects


Sunday, March 29, 2009

5th Sunday of Lent: If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?

Following Jesus

Here we have St. Hedwig, a baroness who gave generously of her wealth to the poor. She also practiced mortification. seeking virtue through radical asceticism. Insisting on walking to worship barefoot through the snow, the baroness leaves a path of bloody footprints (top). In the lower left, she beats herself, and in the lower right, her attendant apparently helps with the spots she couldn't reach.

Frankly, I don't get it. Still, she's right about one thing - our sinfulness is a dreadful horror and it weighs us down.

So the psalmist cries, "Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord,...if you Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you so that you may be feared."

I marvel that we should fear God not for his wrath but for his forgiveness.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

yes, i fear the great Forgiver, for He demands (and makes provision) that we all be like Him.

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