You know we give excuse after excuse on why we fall into habitual sins or even new ones. “We are only human” “She or he made me so upset that is why” “I am the way I am” and so on….
Is our loving Father ‘out of sight, out of mind’ to you?
For if you are in a deep, personal relationship with Him, then You know He is always present. And His loving presence is what you desire most all of the time. Your fear of God is not because of what He might do, but rather you fear offending, hurting Him whom you love dearly. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18
Let our love for Him always be our Yes put into action according to His Will for us. Especially in moments or times when we are reluctant to do so. Perhaps out of some fear or feeling of inadequateness. For He knows the plans He has for us, to prosper not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. Jer 29:11 Amen
Saint Lucy pray for us…
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First reading
Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13
All peoples shall invoke the Lord’s name and serve him
Trouble is coming to the rebellious, the defiled,
the tyrannical city!
She would never listen to the call,
would never learn the lesson;
she has never trusted in the Lord,
never drawn near to her God.
Yes, I will then give the peoples lips that are clean,
so that all may invoke the name of the Lord
and serve him under the same yoke.
From beyond the banks of the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants
will bring me offerings.
When that day comes
you need feel no shame for all the misdeeds
you have committed against me,
for I will remove your proud boasters
from your midst;
and you will cease to strut
on my holy mountain.
In your midst I will leave
a humble and lowly people,
and those who are left in Israel will seek refuge in the name of the Lord.
They will do no wrong,
will tell no lies;
and the perjured tongue will no longer
be found in their mouths.
But they will be able to graze and rest
with no one to disturb them.
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Gospel
Matthew 21:28-32
Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.’
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