Friday 3^rd October – Memorial of St Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin & Doctor

Reflection: Luke 10:13-16

REPENT AND BE SAVED

At the core of the Christian message is the call to repentance. It is a call that each of us receives each day as long as we continue in our earthly sojourn and can easily fall prey to sin. There is no forgiveness of sins without repentance and there is no excuse for us who have heard the message of salvation and are aware of the abundant mercy of God.

Christ says today “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sack cloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the Judgment then for you…” You and I have certainly experienced times in our lives or our families when we have seen God’s hands at work, providing for us, guarding us from evil, protecting us from calamity etc. When we experience God’s love and care for us; it is His own way of calling us to repentance and to a deeper commitment to Him who loves us so dearly.

Today, Jesus calls us again to repentance. When last did you approach the sacrament of Reconciliation? Do you have the consciousness of sin? Let us take this day to examine our conscience and ask the Holy Spirit to shed His light into our hearts to help us recognise the varied ways we have sinned. Let us be truly sorry for our sins and ask God for mercy and for the grace to live a life that pleases Him always.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for your great mercy. Please forgive me for the times I have sinned against you and grant me the grace to live a life that pleases you. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 313 – Why must a sinner turn to God and ask him for forgiveness?

Every sin destroys, obscures, or denies what is good; God, however, is all-good and the author of all good. Therefore every sin goes against God (also) and must be set right again through contact with him.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit” Psalm 32: 1 RSV-CE

Readings for Today: Job 38: 1, 12-21, 40:3-5; Psalm 139:1-3, 7-10, 13-14; Luke 10:13-16