Have you repented of your sins lately? In today’s Gospel reading in Luke, Jesus says, “…if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did.” He states this twice in this passage. In Matthew 4:17, Jesus starts his ministry with the words “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

I had some sin I was trying to work through on my own, and I was getting frustrated. As soon as I got over my pride and confessed my sin and asked for God’s help, I was relieved and felt at peace. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available, powerful, and necessary.

In the first reading of Romans, Saint Paul is stating that “Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” He goes on to say, “Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” If you put your hand in a 400-degree oven, you will get burned; but if you put your hand in an oven mitt and then in the hot oven, you won’t get burned. Your hand is still in the oven, but you are covered. It is the same in life, if you are living in the flesh, as the gospel says, you will be condemned, but if you are in Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation; you are covered in the blood of Christ and living in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus invites us all into his kingdom. We either accept or reject his offer of salvation. How do we say yes? Read Romans 10:9,10.

Father Eymard shares in a personal reflection: “The gift of self requires that each person allow the Holy Spirit to actualize in himself, insofar as possible and in a real, not simply metaphorical sense, Jesus’ self-emptying.” (Taken from A Year with Father Eymard by Fr. Erasto Fernandez, SSS).

Let Us Pray:

Dear heavenly Father, please fill us with your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.