Today’s readings: Click on today’s date at http://www.usccb.org/bible/
Open book
Tuesday April 22, 2014
Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
Acts 2:38-39
Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off.
Strangely enough, we find ourselves in Las Vegas right after Easter. Not so strangely, people here are like people everywhere. We were once all children, and still are children of God. We belonged to God, and still do. As Peter says, all of us can repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The sun shines bright. Blue skies and 90 degrees. Palms stand silent in the windless air. Coming here seemed like a good idea in January. Sit by the pool, rest, listen for Easter sounds in Nevada. We have all the time in the world, with nothing to do but read and pray and write.
Just before you get to the McCarren airport baggage claim there’s a sign: “Deny, deny, deny.” We took pictures. But denial does not come as naturally to our 64-year-old bodies and souls as it once did.
This is not a bad thing! As my body wears out, my soul wises up. Can I accept this? Turning away from God blinds me to myself, and Peter knows that better than anyone. But now he’s turned back toward. He is consoled by Christ and wants to share his crust of bread with anyone who is hungry. Come to the waters!
Repentance is accompanied by confession. We know this. Secrets are the shame, not the things we keep secret. The awful power of my sin withers when I speak of it. There really is no fear in love. God’s freedom is just the around the corner of my confession. This is the gift of the Holy Spirit, daily sought, daily received.
Lord, there you are on the garden path. Where you walk, flowers bow their heads and are silent. They love you. So do I. Please open my eyes so I will recognize you, and bow to you, and be silent. Make me whole today, Lord Jesus.
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1283
