Why do we hold on to our sins? Why do we allow the evil one to whisper in our ear that it is not that grave a sin to confess? To tell us that God will understand our intentions or to justify our actions? Why do we choose to live with the burden of guilt? To live a partial existence?
Jesus so loved us He willingly died for us to free us. There is not a sin too great that He will not forgive. And to experience His great love for us we simply have to confess all our sins with a contrite heart. He will remove every stain of sin so that we will be spotless to love and to serve. To live our lives to the full in His love and peace.
And if we are ever chosen to die for His namesake we know that He will lead us to be with Him in paradise. For Jesus has come to gather us into Himself. Amen
First reading
Romans 8:31-39
With God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give. Could anyone accuse those that God has chosen? When God acquits, could anyone condemn? Could Christ Jesus? No! He not only died for us – he rose from the dead, and there at God’s right hand he stands and pleads for us.
Nothing therefore can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. As scripture promised: For your sake we are being massacred daily, and reckoned as sheep for the slaughter. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us.
For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Gospel
Luke 13:31-35
Some Pharisees came up. ‘Go away’ they said. ‘Leave this place, because Herod means to kill you.’ He replied, ‘You may go and give that fox this message: Learn that today and tomorrow I cast out devils and on the third day attain my end. But for today and tomorrow and the next day I must go on, since it would not be right for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem.
‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! So be it! Your house will be left to you. Yes, I promise you, you shall not see me till the time comes when you say:
‘Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!’
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