HENNA TATTOO
“Though
your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow, though they
be crimson red, they may become white as wool.” – Isaiah 1:18
Have
you ever gotten a tattoo? I hear it’s quite painful and almost
impossible to remove. I never imagined I’d get one until I went to
Phuket during my honeymoon. But mind you, it wasn’t a permanent one. It
was just a henna tattoo — the temporary kind that lasts for about two
weeks. (Mine lasted for only two minutes because they didn’t finish it and it was washed away by the rain.)
This
got me thinking about how I used to brand myself as a jerk because I
always broke up with my girlfriends. I couldn’t seem to make a
relationship work. I pounded myself for my mistakes and called myself a
failure. I believed I was permanently doomed to hurt people and never
have a successful relationship. Mercifully, God showed me that my failures don’t define me. I was able to conquer my fear of commitment and I am now very, very happily married.
Our
sins are not permanent. Our failures are not permanent. They may have
stained us but they’re only henna tattoos, washed away by His blood.
What is permanent is God’s mark of ownership on us. We are His children,
made in His image and likeness. Nothing can wash that away. George Tolentino Gabriel (george.svp@gmail.com)
Reflection: Have you sinned? Failed? Made mistakes? Confess. Get back up. Move on. His love is greater.
Lord, thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness. Thank You for Your love that never ends.
St. Porphyry of Gaza, pray for us.
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