We have been
examining the nature of our sins and the concept of God’s mercy this past week
in the context of the holy days of the Lord’s passion and resurrection.
Reconciliation with God is first and foremost acknowledging our sinfulness and
admitting that, on our own, we are powerless to change unless we expose our sin
to the light, humbly confess it and ask God to fill us with His grace. Jesus
came and died for sinners. He understands our failings, and He also knows the
horrendous cost of those failings. He is not willing for us to be second best,
and out of touch with the reality of who we were created to be. Too many people
today operate in a sin-filled life because they simply do not see the sin in
which they are steeped. They are operating in a lie, and that lie is costing
them the glorious touch of God’s hand, the touch that will change them from
worldly and mediocre to heavenly and magnificent!! Let us remember the words of
Scripture: When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed
him. A man with leprosy
came and knelt before him and said,
“Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand
and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately
he was cleansed of his leprosy (Matthew 8:1-3). Come back today to the mercy
which awaits you in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and feel the touch of the
Master.
The Touch of the Master’s Hand
‘Twas battered and scarred and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
“What am I bid, good folk?” he cried.
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar … now two … only two …
Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar … now two … only two …
Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?
“Three dollars once, three dollars twice,
Going for three” … but no!
From the room far back a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow.
Going for three” … but no!
From the room far back a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow.
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
As sweet as an angel sings.
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
As sweet as an angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said, “What am I bid for the old violin?”
As he held it up with the bow.
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said, “What am I bid for the old violin?”
As he held it up with the bow.
“A thousand dollars … and who’ll make it two?
Two…two thousand, and who’ll make it three?
Three thousand once and three thousand twice …
Three thousand and gone!” said he.
Two…two thousand, and who’ll make it three?
Three thousand once and three thousand twice …
Three thousand and gone!” said he.
The people cheered, but some exclaimed
“We do not quite understand …
What changed its worth?” and the answer came:
” ‘Twas the touch of the master’s hand.”
“We do not quite understand …
What changed its worth?” and the answer came:
” ‘Twas the touch of the master’s hand.”
And many a man with soul out of tune
And battered and scarred by sin
Is auctioned cheap by the thoughtless crowd
Just like the old violin.
And battered and scarred by sin
Is auctioned cheap by the thoughtless crowd
Just like the old violin.
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul, and the change that is wrought
By the touch of the master’s hand.
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul, and the change that is wrought
By the touch of the master’s hand.
O Master! I am the tuneless one
Lay, lay Thy hand on me,
Transform me now, put a song in my heart
Of melody, Lord, to Thee!
Lay, lay Thy hand on me,
Transform me now, put a song in my heart
Of melody, Lord, to Thee!
- – - written by Myra Brooks Welch
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