Monday Morning Meditation

Source: uncutmountainsupply.com

 Dear Parish Faithful,

At the Liturgy on Sunday, we heard what must be the shorter epistle reading on our lectionary - I Tim. 1:15-17. Here is that text:

"The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners; but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ may display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever and ever. Amen."

We know part of this text very well, of course, as we recite it together as a kind of communal pre-Communion pray as we prepare to receive the Eucharist at the Divine Liturgy. The question is then raised: How can each and every one of us be "the foremost of sinners?" I would like to again share a key passage in Peter Bouteneff's book How To Be a Sinner, as an insightful and deeply challenging response to that very natural question:

"I am the foremost of sinners." How can I make sense of this statement as I strive to make it my own? ...

For one, to the best of my knowledge, it is actually true. I can't fully know the misdeeds, circumstances, external strictures, inner struggles, or repentance of other people. It is not mine to analyze other people's shortcomings or their motivations. Doing so will not benefit me. Plus, their failings are fully known only to God. I have access to and control over only myself. I can bring only myself before God's judgment. And I will tell you that the picture is not very pretty. Given the circumstances in which I was raised, my education and life in the Church, what I have seen and what I know, for me to harbor the kind of thoughts that I have, to speak the words that I say, and do the deeds I do is utterly inexcusable. As for the state of my repentance? The quality of my prayer? Forget it. I can't say how it goes for anyone else. I honestly have no idea. But there's a real good chance they are doing this all better than I do, thanks be to God. (p. 56-57)

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Very honest and, in my estimation, very true for each and every one of us.