Fr. Matthew Bartow, MFVA wrote these challenging words on his Facebook page:
Try to think of the person you think is most deserving of Hell. It could be someone you know personally, a historical figure, a politician, a celebrity, anyone. Then imagine standing before God and seeing Him show mercy towards this person and watching as they enter the kingdom of heaven. If we cannot imagine ourselves rejoicing to see this person’s salvation or if we even become angry at the thought that this person has been saved, then perhaps our hearts are still in need of conversion. The salvation of every single person is a default Christian position and we should take delight in seeing every one saved and not longing for their condemnation.
Lord, it's hard for me to name
the person I think is most deserving of Hell,
but I don't have much trouble
naming my enemies;
naming those I find it difficult,
even impossible, to forgive;
naming those in whom I find
few or no redeeming qualities;
naming those in whom I struggle to find
the divine image and likeness
in which we're all created;
naming those whose redemption
stretches my spiritual imagination
to the breaking point...
I'm fairly certain, Lord,
that my heart is in need of conversion,
that my heart needs to turn
with mercy, not judgment
with compassion, not accusation,
with kindness, not resentment,
with hope, not dismissal,
with concern, not animosity
to the very ones I find hardest
to reach out to and care for,
to welcome and accept,
to pray for and bless,
to include and embrace,
to pardon and forgive,
to count as my neighbor,
to serve, to respect and to love...
Yes, Lord,
my heart is in need of conversion...
Open, touch and heal my heart
of animosity, jealousy, envy and pride,
of prejudice, bias, enmity and scorn,
of bitterness, contempt, ill will and disgust,
of loathing, revenge, hostility and hate...
O Lord, my God,
conform my will to yours,
ready my life for your scrutiny,
cleanse my mind of unholy thoughts,
prepare my soul for your judgment,
humble my heart in the light of your truth
and grant me mercy far beyond
what I merit, have claim to,
have earned or deserved...
as I forgive those
who trespass against me...
Humble me with your mercy, Lord,
and open my heart to rejoice
in the mercy you show to others,
the mercy I need and for which I pray...
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
This is my first encounter with music by Daniel Greig but I suspect I'll be drawing from other of his compositions soon. A beautiful choral hymn whose lyrics pair so well with the song.
Open Wide the Door of Mercy by Daniel Greig
If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!
Open wide the
door of mercy
let all be
welcomed in
Let compassion
love and healing,
the work of
Christ, begin
Open wide the
door of mercy,
let all
division end
May we be a
door of mercy
until he comes
again
All who enter in
the threshold,
longing for
release,
will know of their
redemption,
receive his gentle
peace
Come all those who
feel unworthy,
those who’ve been
betrayed,
receive the gift
of mercy,
do not be afraid
Chorus
All who linger in
the shadows,
full of doubt and
shame,
pass now through the
doorway
and call upon his
name
Come all those who
feel forgotten,
those weighed down
by sin
receive the gift
of mercy,
be restored again
Chorus
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please THINK before you write
and PRAY before you think!