The Gravity of Sin.

Saturday 26^th October 2019. Romans 8:1-11, Psalm 24 and Luke 13:1-9.

_“Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” *(Luke 13:3)*_

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus uses the analogy of a calamity that occurred to teach us a lesson on the gravity (seriousness) of sin. A report came to Jesus about how Pilate murdered some Galileans and mixed their blood with the sacrifices. While many were expecting Jesus to pronounce a curse on Pilate for doing such an evil thing, Jesus shocked them all by saying:

“Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered thus? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:2-5)

From Jesus’ response, we can see that sin by itself is just as deadly and dangerous as having a whole tower fall on top of a person, or having one’s blood mixed with sacrifices. While many felt this calamity was due to the sins of the victims, Jesus said they were not even worse sinners than others. This means that God does not punish us according to our sins but then, every sin we commit is a serious matter.

When faced with temptation, always try to picture the consequences first. Do not be carried away by the beauty of the cake, think of the stomach ache and sickness which would certainly follow. Say to yourself: “If I do this, I am bringing pain, sorrow and regret to myself.”

In today’s first reading, St. Paul says that by sending Jesus Christ to die for us, God has freed us from the law of sin and death hence, we must no longer set our minds on the things of the flesh but on the things of the Spirit. When your mind is set on things of the flesh, you become hostile to the things of God and you cannot please God but if the Holy Spirit dwells in you, you begin to live a resurrected life even while in your flesh. That is, you are able to drop your former sinful deeds and behaviours behind.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, come and dwell within me always that my life may bring glory to you always. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Romans 8:1-11, Psalm 24 and Luke 13:1-9).