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WEDNESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, FEBRUARY 8, 2023

Olivia M. Bannan



Gospel


REFLECTION

"Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;

but the things that come out from within are what defile.”

(Mark 7:14-15)



We are asked to take ownership of our sins. Pin them down, own them and do something about them. To see the face of God and be with him in His glory there should be no vice or sin within us.


We are to look at sin for what it is and change. We may confess, be forgiven but until the sins are gone or purged from our hearts here on earth, we will need to do so in purgatory.


Sometimes we don't identify with the sin because we don't think we do anything wrong. So we let a few remarks that are true, but malignant, be said in a conversation and not really call it gossip. Or, we want more of everything, but not consider it greed. After a good examination of conscience, we can see our actions for what they are. For example I want a fancier car, better or bigger home, more outfits, more plaudits, more compliments, more power tools, more cars, more gadgets. Or conversations can go a certain direction so as to drag someone's reputation down the wrong path.


We might want to characterize them differently but "from within the man, from his heart come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from within and they defile," said the Lord.


Divine grace is the only effective way to resist sin. Jesus shows us how to live. It's in the Bible.


Last Sunday at FACE ZBS we learned that "The Beatitudes depict the countenance (face) of Jesus Christ and portray His charity (heart). They express the vocation of the faithful associated with the glory of His Passion and Resurrection; they shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of the Christian life; they are the paradoxical promises that sustain hope in the midst of tribulations; they proclaim the blessings and rewards already secured, however dimly, for Christ's disciples; they have begun in the lives of the Virgin Mary and all the saints."(Catechism 1717) (FACE ZBS #95)


And that is how to live! To radiate the spirit of the Beatitudes, "For we are the aroma of Christ" ....."We speak in Christ"(2 Cor 2:15, 17).


With His Grace and Word, we can change if we want to leave sin behind. Frequent Confession, Mass, Adoration and a prayerful life filled with charitable deeds can help us move away from what is inherently in us and go toward the bright light of God.


Let our hearts turn to God for help and a new creation. May we find and live His love so that sin becomes truly repulsive.


More tortuous than anything is the human heart,

beyond remedy; who can understand it?

I, the LORD, explore the mind

and test the heart,

Giving to all according to their ways,

according to the fruit of their deeds.

(Jeremiah 17:9-10)


God Bless You



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