How many times have we acted wrongly—and known it?
How many times have we regretted hurting someone, even hurting them badly?
Have we tried to make it right? Have we asked for forgiveness?
Before forgiveness can be given by someone we’ve hurt, that person should be able to trust that we are contrite.
What is contrition, really? True contrition comes from the soul, and by God’s grace. It involves not only sincere sorrow for our offenses, but a firm purpose of committing them no more.
It’s more than just saying we’re sorry. It’s changing our very selves, if need be.
I don’t know about you, but for me, changing myself is HARD. I know what I need to do, but I don’t do it, or maybe I do it a little and then excuse myself. One step forward, two steps back–but I don’t want to give up trying, do you? And I won’t have to.
We do have strength that will be given to us—and it comes, as the following song says–from a higher window. It is the strength of our Redeemer who will help us to contrition, to change, to asking for forgiveness, and then to love. It’s never too late. The possibility is here. Is today the day?
Translating a World on the Edge 