914AFC040309 Happy Aloha Friday!!
Last week I mentioned that I planned on sending The 7 R’s for this week’s message. Today I am going to send you an outline of that document. You may recall we had a series of Aloha Friday Cards some time ago that featured the 7 R’s. Just as a reminder they are [1] Recognition, [2] Remorse, [3] Repentance, [4] Reconciliation, [5] Restitution, [6] Renewal, and [7] Rejoicing.
The document I used in the series last time mentioned the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This outline does not present that information. Instead it is focused on restoring a right-relationship with my God, my self, and my community. This approach is more general and less Catholic for those of you who are not members of that church. Even if you are not a Christian, the content of this outline is a good guide for good relationships. Except for faiths that are based on karmic principles, these seven ideas are compatible with just about any approach to responsible citizenship in a moral community.
If you would like a copy of the more detailed – “more Catholic” – version, let me know, and I will send it to you – free of charge as they say!
So why send this again and why now? We are nearing the end of Lent, and whatever your life-view, there is always some value in reexamining your life to see if you are doing all that you can to promote civility and goodness among all people. That examination turns out best when it begins by looking at how you yourself view yourself and what you do about what you see. If you muster the humility to see that changes are needed and submit to that humility by making a concerted effort to make those changes, you will have done well.
The 7 R’s is a little tool for beginning that introspection. I hope you will find it useful, not just at this time of year, but as often as you think of it. Here then is the outline for The 7 R’s.
Seven Key Words of Faith in God’s Forgiveness
1. Recognition
1.1. See there is a problem
1.2. Know that it is sin
1.3. Know that I am powerless against it
2. Remorse
2.1. I regret the outcome of my actions
2.2. I trust in God’s understanding of my sorrow
3. Repentance
3.1. I make a conscious decision to correct my thinking, my communications, and my actions
3.2. I make that decision public through my actions
4. Relations Restorations
4.1. I am resolved to restore the relationships with God and with my community that I have damaged through my sin
4.2. I seek and accept forgiveness from God and my community
5. Reparation
5.1. I am willing to atone and to offer compensation for the damage I have caused
5.2. I gratefully acknowledge expiation of my sins
6. Renewal
6.1. I am transformed by the renewal of my heart, my mind, and my actions.
6.2. I make it my resolve to avoid the kinds of circumstances that enabled me to sin
7. Rejoicing
7.1. I rejoice in the restoration of a right relationship with God and my community.
7.2. I share my rejoicing freely and still, with due humility, show respect for others
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service
—
AGE QUOD AGIS
In God WE trust
chick
