Walking this morning on this glorious Fall day, I kept thinking of Charles Peguy's The Portal of the Mystery of Hope. He is full of Bethanien spirituality. There are many examples I could post about, but I chose:
A penitent is someone who isn't very proud of himself.
Who isn't very proud of what he's done.
Because what he did, we must admit it, is a sin.
A penitent is someone who is ashamed of himself and of his sin.
Of what he did.
Who would like very much to hide himself.
Who above all wishes that he hadn't done it.
Ever.
Hide himself, shield himself from the face of God.
Doesn't that describe exactly how you feel when you've disappointed, betrayed, sinned?
A penitent is someone who isn't very proud of himself.
Who isn't very proud of what he's done.
Because what he did, we must admit it, is a sin.
A penitent is someone who is ashamed of himself and of his sin.
Of what he did.
Who would like very much to hide himself.
Who above all wishes that he hadn't done it.
Ever.
Hide himself, shield himself from the face of God.
Doesn't that describe exactly how you feel when you've disappointed, betrayed, sinned?
