Home > Advent Blog 2024

I am sorry

December 17, 2024

Isaiah 9:1-7| 2 Peter 1:12-21| Luke 22:54-69

“The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.’”

How many times have we done or said something that we have regretted at a later point in time? Perhaps it happened in our family setting or at work or with close friends. But, once we have done it or said it, we have regretted having done so, for a variety of reasons.

At a later point when someone raises a question or makes a comment about what we have done or said, we deny having done so or make excuses as to why it happened, hoping to take the pressure and embarrassment off ourselves. But deep within us, we know what happened, but find it so hard to admit we are guilty.

It can be very hard for us to admit our self-guilt.  Is it embarrassment, fear that others will think less of us or wishing that we had been in a different situation and the words or event had never happened?

It’s important for our hearts and souls to admit when we are wrong. That confirmation may sting for a while, but we won’t be carrying the guilty feelings within us if we can admit we made a mistake. Being able to say “I am sorry” can be one of the most cleansing acts of kindness we can do for ourselves.

Doreen C. Putnam