18th Sunday after Pentecost
4.10.20
We talk of victims of crime; there are also victims of sin. Everyone suffers from every sin committed insofar as each sin lowers the tone of the whole world, makes the world a harder place in which to live.
Our Lord came to set us free from sin; free in two senses: firstly, the guilt of sin, and secondly, freedom from any inclination to commit further sin. We are free when sin no longer has any hold on us.
To people who did not realize Our Lord’s true identity it must have seemed strange to have a mere mortal forgiving other people their sins.
Is He just saying it, or does He have real authority? He does have the authority because every sin is an offence against God, and He is God. He has the right to forgive because the sin is against Him.
If I steal my neighbour’s car and wreck it, I have offended my neighbour; but I have also offended God. How so? because every uncharitable act is an offence to the Lord of all people and all things.
There is nothing that happens in the world that is outside the providence of God. He owns the whole thing.
There is no victimless sin because Christ is the Victim of all sin, as He graphically enacts for us on the Cross.
We have put Him on the Cross by our sins. We did not mean to hurt Him, but we must understand this is what sin does, even our venial sins.
Our sins will often harm some people directly; indirectly everyone else; but most and worst of all every sin gives direct offence to God.
We should not despair, however. God is generous in mercy and quick to forgive.
Once we realize how bad the sin is, the easier it is to claim that forgiveness.
It also makes us less inclined to sin if we see the sin as a direct offence against God.
If we were lining the streets on Good Friday would we add to the sufferings of Our Lord? Of course not.
We become more sensitive about what we say, think and do.
To see our sins in their true light – this is the key to true contrition, and from there to purpose of amendment.
Sin is a personal matter. It is never just a matter of keeping rules. There is always that personal dimension.
It hurts to see our sins in their full force but it is good for us too, restoring us to the proper balance that is needed.
We gratefully acknowledge Our Lord’s authority and mercy. That mercy re-constructs us, gives us a new start each time.
Some of our sin is very hard to shake off, it being habitual and deeply embedded.
We can come at the problem from different directions. Overcoming sin is not just a matter of will power: I must not sin; I must not sin… Yes, we should form resolutions, but we can also deepen our faith, grow in knowledge and understanding of God.
This will reinforce the personal aspect of the matter. Our religion is not just an impersonal system; it is a relationship between us and God.
The more personal our understanding the less likely we are to commit the sin, and more likely to do something virtuous.
If we stop crucifying Him (why are you persecuting Me? Acts 9,4) we can progressively share in His resurrection.
No comments:
Post a Comment