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Reflection about Repentance

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Hiii all,

Thank God for giving us the opportunity to be able to gather together today. It is just a fantastic experience for me.

Today’s topic is “Repentance”. The session began with praise and worship led by Valent. Then there was teaching section by Philip and testimony by Leo. After that, we had announcement and also fellowship. All events were fun. The praise n worship made us feel God’s presence. Btw the songs are good. For me, I like "benediction" and "we are the reason" (the one that was sang by Philip). The lyrics have good meaning.

Then, during the teaching session, I am realized that God love us so much. Although, we do sinful things very often, God will never abandon us wherever and whenever it is. We just need to come back to His arm and walk again in the way He wants us to be. I also learn another lesson from this session. Sometimes, I offended God and I know that was wrong. But I just did nothing. However, from the teaching, I realize that we must not lazy and must get up to change the way I am now. See, so many things we can learn in this YISS. Having heard the testimony, I was convinced the love from God again for us. He loves each one of us whoever we are.

During the teaching and praise & worship, the readings from the bible were actually the same. I think God really want to tell us about The Lost Child. Maybe there are some important meanings behind that hehe. We are the child and God is the father. Everything we did in the past will be forgiven by God just because His love not because something else. Let us together come back to our Lord and do according His will.

After all of it, we also had fellowship (“makan” together n little chit-chat :D). It looked like every member of Emmaus is so friendly. They always welcome me warmly. Praise God for everything that He has given us. Keep the good work and worship Him all the time !!!

God bless,

Henry ^^

Comments

Before I forgot about this

Submitted by Valent Richie on 18 May 2009

Before these points lost in my mind that I found related to story of prodigal son, written by St Josemaria Escriva:

http://www.escrivaworks.org/book/christ_is_passing_by-point-178.htm

For a Christian, joy is a treasure. Only by offending God do we lose it, because sin is the fruit of selfishness, and selfishness is the root of sadness. Even then, a bit of joy survives under the debris of our soul: the knowledge that neither God nor his Mother can ever forget us. If we repent, if an act of sorrow springs from our heart, if we purify ourselves in the holy sacrament of penance, God comes out to meet and forgive us. Then there can be no sadness whatsoever. Then there is every right "to rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come back to life, was lost and has been found."

These words are taken from the marvellous ending of the parable of the prodigal son, which we shall never tire of meditating. "Behold [the Father] comes out to meet you. He will bend down to greet you. He will give you a kiss as a sign of love and tenderness. He will order the servants to bring you new clothing, a ring, shoes for your feet. You still fear reproach and he returns your dignity. You fear punishment and he gives you a kiss. You dread a harsh word and he prepares for you a banquet."

Thanks Henry for the sharing! :)

"To have courage for whatever comes in life - everything lies in that." (St Teresa of Avila)

To rise again

Submitted by Oka Kurniawan on 18 May 2009

Dear Henry,
thanks for your sharing, I too realize that sometimes we know what God wants us to do, but we simply don't do it. Thanks for reminding us again that we need to rise up and do some action to come back to the Father's house.