Daily Bible Reflections

September 14, 2011
Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross

NEWFOUND FAITH

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:17

I read a book about an American agnostic woman’s near-death experience in 1973. There she narrated what she experienced in what seemed to be heaven.
An angel brought her to a room where her entire life flashed before her. She cried upon realizing how many people she had hurt along the way.
“Why are you crying?” asked the one she referred to as the Divine Being. “Because I can now feel how I made them feel,” she replied. She also told the Divine Being that she deserved punishment for that.
“Why are you too hard on yourself? I am not here to condemn you,” said the Divine Being. Do you want to go back and make things right?”
She did go back, and has since lived with a newfound Christian faith and purpose. The author now travels the world preaching about life after death.
Jesus came to us to save us from sin, and to give us hope that in Him we shall live. The God of love and forgiveness changes lives — for real. Let Him do wonders in yours. Nova Arias (nova.svp@gmail.com)

REFLECTION:
Never underestimate God’s mercy and love.

Lord Jesus, thank You for seeing the good in me at all times. When I am too hard on myself, remind me of Your forgiving love.