1ST READING
St.
Paul is trying to relate the nature of sin to our experience of it. I
do not think he was trying to proclaim a doctrine of Original Sin.
Augustine, however, comes from a long battle with sin, as his
Confessions tells us, and, thus, is trying to understand how sin seems
to have a hold on us, even before we are technically capable of
individual sin. I believe in the doctrine of Original Sin. I also
believe that the grace of God is more powerful than all sins put
together. Our focus should be upon the latter, not the former, as we
seek to follow Jesus.
Romans 5:12, 15, 17-19, 20-21
12 Brothers
and sisters: Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin,
death, and thus death came to all, inasmuch as all sinned. 15 If by that one person’s transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many. 17 For if, by the transgression of one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who
receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ. 18 In
conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon
all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. 19 For
just as through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners,
so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous. 20 Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
P S A L M
Psalm 40:7-8, 8-9, 10, 17
R: Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
6 [7] Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not; 7 [8] then said I, “Behold I come.” (R) “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, 8 [9] to do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!” (R)
9 [10] I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O Lord, know. (R) 16 [17] May all who seek you exult and be glad in you, and may those who love your salvation say ever, “The Lord be glorified.” (R)
GOSPEL
We
all should be preparing for the Day of Judgment, not in fear and
trembling, but in the hope and trust of being called into the gift of
eternal life. Too often in the past, the focus of preaching and teaching
has been upon sin and its consequences. The Gospel, however, teaches us
to focus on the love of God and His victory over sin and death. Both of
these points of view have truths attached to them, but it is the latter
that celebrates our liberation as sons and daughters of God, for that
is what Christ has made us.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
Luke 12:35-38
35 Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps 36 and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. 38 And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.”
think: The grace of God is more powerful than all sins put together.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
____________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_
_____________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Zechariah 12-14
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