The Tribune

By REV. ANGELA PALACIOUS

THERE are wounds from the past which continue to cast shadows over our lives. Lent is an excellent time to ask the Holy Spirit to shine the light of God's love around us in order to detect what they are and how they still affect us.

One of the verses of scripture which offer a cure for the soul is the one where John the Baptist baptized Jesus and the voice of God is heard affirming his personhood and ministry. We are invited to understand God's love in a similar fashion.

1. We are created in God's image and God delights in us.

2. God loves us as daughters and sons.

3. We please God when we seek to be obedient and discern God's will for our lives.

4. We partner with God when we work to build up the Kingdom of God on earth.

If we focus on God's love daily it will allow the fact to penetrate our defenses and speak to our wounded spirits, we will find ourselves gradually being healed. Such love comforts, convicts, forgives, approves, affirms, completes, and satisfies our longing for a fulfilled life.

As we embrace the light, areas of inner darkness come to light. The following scriptures are helpful for the examination of conscience and soul searching that liberates us from both blatant and subtle sins:

1. 1 Corinthians 13 brings to our attention the need to be more patient, kind and loving, avoiding behaviours which are arrogant, rude, irritable, resentful, jealous or boastful.

2. Galatians 5:16-26 highlights the avoidance of fornication, impurity, licentiousness, strife, anger, jealousy, envy, drunkenness, carousing and advocates love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

3. Colossians 3: 5-15 addresses the sins of, evil desires, covetousness and idolatry pointing us instead toward holiness, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, forgiveness, harmony and gratitude to God.

The key to finding balance in our life is to allow the presence of the Holy Spirit to direct us toward God's marvelous light and away from the deeds of darkness. We all need companions on the journey, encouragement along the way and motivation to always try to put God first.

Let us pledge ourselves anew to the joy-filled but challenging task of making the things of God our highest priority, and let us make it our aim to influence others to do the same.