18th September

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53, 5

Who am I?

In society: I am the one I want to be. I wish that the others have a good opinion of me. I want to be acknowledged, admired, estimated ...

In family: I am the one such as they see me. I have the face of everyday's life. Well, one could do better but everyone has his own lacks.

In myself: I am the one such as I know myself. How can I obtain my ideal and satisfy the requirements of my conscience? Even if I am indulgent for myself, I see that I am not perfect; nevertheless, compared with others ...!

Finally: I am the one such as God sees me: "There is no creature which is hidden in front of him, but all things are bare and uncovered in the eyes of him who has concern for us. God says: "There is no-one righteous, not even one" (Romans 11, 10), "all have sinned" (Romans 3, 23). I am a sinner. Can I change myself? "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots?" (Jeremiah 13, 23). No, but God knows me such as I am and he demonstrates his own love for me in this: while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me (Romans 5, 8).

God loves me such as I am. "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more" (Isaiah 43, 25).

Has this wonderful news not been revealed in the Gospel? Have you read it?