March 2025 Mission Musings
PMS: Poor Miserable Sinner
I went to a meeting this past year, and one of the participants introduced himself as PMS Jon. I immediately asked, “Pepperoni, Mushroom, Sausage?” “No, poor miserable sinner,” he replied. I will never forget his name! This, however, is exactly how I should think of myself; I am a poor miserable sinner.
We just celebrated a time of love with Valentine’s Day and now we enter the penitential season of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending with the closed tomb on Holy Saturday. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster, whew!
Looking at this love-repentant duo in light of what God does for us. but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) It is only through the grace and love from God that we are anything but poor miserable sinners. We can’t do anything to change this description of ourselves, only through Jesus’ redemption are we able to become anything else.
As Ash Wednesday approaches, those ashes remind me of (Romans 6:23a) for the wages of sin is death. My life in this world must end in physical death, due to my sins; however, the rest of that verse gives me the good news…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23b). I, a poor miserable sinner, through the suffering, death, and resurrection of My Lord, shall receive the gift of eternal life!
Although, my sins have been forgiven, I do not have the right to continue sinning. St. Paul writes, Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! (Romans 6:1a-2) The time of repentance is daily, sometimes, hourly. Lord, forgive me for my wrong doings, is a prayer I pray often. My sinful nature wants what it wants and wants it now! It is a vicious cycle that is familiar to us all. For all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 15:57)
As we gather to worship and receive the good gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation this Ash Wednesday, may we remember why we are coming to the foot of the altar to partake in the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The command from Christ Himself “to do this in remembrance of Me,” (Luke 22:19a). is what Jesus commanded us to do. And to do it often.
Dear Lord, I sin daily and deserve nothing but eternal punishment; but You have given me a gift, free from my works, so I do not boast of what I have done. It is by Your grace that the gift of eternal life shall be mine one day. I pray that Your Holy Spirit will keep me in the one true faith until life everlasting. I ask this in the name of my Redeemer, Jesus. Amen.
Your Poor Miserable Sinner, and LWML Sister in Christ,
Deb Albers
VP of Christian Life ’24-‘28