St. Ephraim the Syrian: On Repentance

Wisdom!: Readings from the Fathers of the Church ^

[NYer]

St. Ephraim the Syrian: On Repentance

Grant forgiveness, O Lord, send also strength. Convert me, that I might live in sanctity, according to Thy holy will. Sanctify my heart that has become a den and dwelling-place of demons.

I am unworthy to ask forgiveness for myself, O Lord, for many times have I promised to repent and proved myself a liar by not fulfilling my promise. Thou hast picked me up many times already, but every time I freely chose to fall again.

Therefore I condemn myself and admit that I deserve all manner of punishment and torture. How many times hast Thou enlightened my darkened mind; yet every time I return again to base thoughts! My whole body trembles when I contemplate this; yet every time sinful sensuality reconquers me.

How shall I recount all the gifts of Thy grace, O Lord, that I the pitiful one have received? Yet I have reduced them all to nothing by my apathy -- and I continue on in this manner. Thou has bestowed upon me thousands of gifts, yet miserable me, I offer in return things repulsive to Thee.

Yet Thou, O Lord, inasmuch as Thou containest a sea of longsuffering and an abyss of kindness, do not allow me to be felled as a fruitless fig tree; and do not let me be burned without having ripened on the field of life. Snatch me not away unprepared; seize not me who have not yet lit my lamp; take not away me who have no wedding garment; but, because Thou art good and the lover of mankind, have mercy on me. Give me time to repent, and place not my soul stripped naked before Thy terrible and unwavering throne as a pitiful spectacle of infamy.

If a righteous man can barely be saved, then where will I end up, I who am lawless and sinful? If the path that leads to life is strait and narrow, then how can I be vouchsafed such good things, I who live a life of luxury, indulging in my own pleasures and dissipation? But Thou, O Lord, my Saviour, Son of the true God, as Thou knowest and desirest it, by Thy grace alone, freely turn me away from the sin that abides in me and save me from ruin.

[NYer]

Advent is a time of preparation for the birth of the Christ Child. During this beautiful season, as we clean the house for our guests, it also time to 'cleanse our souls' for The Messiah's arrival.

Tonight, as undercover cops were arresting someone outside, we gathered inside for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The turnout was quite good - ALL Roman Catholics! Since the service was combined with Day 5 of the Christmas Novena, Father began by placing the host in the Monstrance. It was truly in His Presence, that we began our hymns, Scripture Readings, and reflections in preparation for confession. It began with the following Maronite hymn.

---

I year for your pardon, O Lord,
Give me tears to repent in this Advent season.
Lord have mercy.

I beg for your favors, O Lord, For your mercy I thirst, for your kindness and love.
Lord have mercy.

Against you, O Lord, I have sinned,
Hear the cry of my voice, turn your ear to my prayer.
Lord forgive me.

O wash me O Lord from my guilt,
Purify me and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord forgive me.

First Reading - Baruch 5:1-9
Second Reading - Phillipians 1:3-6, 8-11
Gospel Reading - Luke 6:27-38

What a glorious feeling to hear those words:

I absolve you of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Wishing you all a truly Blessed Christmas!

[GOP_Thug_Mom]

Beautiful--and just what I needed. Thank you...

[dsc]

I am sad that my family and I have not found a parish since coming here in April. Any prayers for that intention would be appreciated. I don't even know where we're going for Christmas Mass, or where I can go to confession.

[NYer]

I am sad that my family and I have not found a parish since coming here in April.

Another freeper in a similar situation, began attending Sunday Mass at the local hospital. There she found an old Irish priest, beautiful devotions and a very reverent Mass. Sometimes the more 'orthodox' priests are hidden away in hospital ministries; it's true in this diocese as well.

[GOP_Thug_Mom]

have you tried "masstimes.org"? here's a link for Boise Parishes(you may have to copy and paste):

http://www.masstimes.org/dotNet/showchurches.aspx?type=USCITY&q=Boise&city=Boise&statecode=ID&state=Idaho&country=United+States+of+America&countrycode=US&friendlyChurchName=&churchName=

I would start by looking for one that offers a Latin Mass, then the next criteria would be Confession Schedule and Adoration.

I wish I had some contacts in Idaho, but I'll offer prayers for you!! Let me know what you find.

[dsc]

Thanks for your prayers.

The problem is not that there are no buildings claiming to be Catholic Churches. The problems is that they are almost Mahoneyite in their modernism. Since we got here, I have heard scripture denied from the pulpit, heard a homily about how "Jesus wasn't a capitalist" (which leaves us to conclude that he's a socialist), seen a hot tub plunked down in front of an altar for full-immersion baptism, been subjected to horrible guitar-struming audio-atrocity, had platoons of lay people block the aisles so that I would have had to physically shove them aside to receive the Eucharist from consecrated hands...pant, pant, puff, puff...

Last week I had the most distasteful ecclesial experience of my life. I wanted to confess so that I could receive the Sacrament at Christmas Mass, so I went down to the big cathedral. It was like a session at DU. After, I felt unclean, like I needed to confess the confession.

I hate to say it, but leftist priests are as despicable and dishonest as any other leftist.

This morning we went to the Greek Orthodox church. There were many things that were new and different, but at least nothing happened that made me want to walk out.

I guess for now we'll keep going to Mass there.

[GOP_Thug_Mom]

wow. sad. I have a friend here who goes to a Byzantine Rite Church. Is the Greek Orthodox a Rite of the Catholic Church that is in communion with Her?

We are so blessed here in Houston--our Parish has the Tridentine Mass at 8am, there are NO altar "girls", and I've only seen a couple people in the last year receive Our Lord in their hands from the priest or deacon. (we have NO Eucharistic ministers). As a matter of fact, it took about 20 minutes just for Communion last night because the church was so full, and only Monsignor and the deacon are the only ones who administer Communion with the help of altar boys with patens. Monsignor sresses that the more time you have alone with Our Lord after Communion, the better.

We'll continue praying for you and all of our suffering brothers. I hope you have a Blessed Christmas Season!

[dsc]

It is my understanding that, while the Greek Orthodox Church is not in communion with Rome, attendance at their masses satisfies a Roman Catholic's obligation.

If someone more knowledgeable knows differently, I hope they will correct me.

Yes, please pray for the Diocese of Boise.