The First Sunday in Lent (NTA)

2 Corinthians 13:1-10

This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. ² I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them— ³ since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. ⁴ For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.

⁵ Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! ⁶ I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. ⁷ But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. ⁸ For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. ⁹ For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. ¹⁰ For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

Many Pastors are not mean spirited people. Even St Paul is not a mean spirited person, like some May think. St Paul would truly love to be able to welcome all people to communion, or fellowship. But the truth is that there are people who continue to walk in the deeds of darkness with no remorse, or repentance.

Examine your life, reflect on the Ten Commandments. Take some time after reading this, or right now in the middle, and think about all the sins in your life. Now go one step further think of all things you are proud of in your life. Think about the things you don't want to change about who you are. Examine these things as to whether or not God thinks they should be changed.

Be Holy as The Lord your God is Holy. Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect. Do everything correct without exception. St Paul is praying for your restoration. He is praying that you will be reconciled to God through the blood of Christ. If you took the time to Examine yourself, you saw that you were sinful and probably still hold on to things God does not desire you to be. Turn from these things, look to your Baptism where God claimed you. Scratch your forehead and your heart where Christ has marked you as one redeemed by Christ the Crucified one.