{"id":18102,"date":"2015-03-03T00:37:51","date_gmt":"2015-03-03T06:37:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/?p=18102"},"modified":"2017-04-17T21:58:46","modified_gmt":"2017-04-18T01:58:46","slug":"weeding-out-sin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/weeding-out-sin\/","title":{"rendered":"Weeding Out Sin","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"
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THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent, March 3rd, 2015<\/p>\n

Liturgical texts here<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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WHEN <\/strong>it comes to weeding out sin this Lent, we cannot divorce mercy from the Cross, nor the Cross from mercy. Today’s readings are a powerful blend of both…<\/p>\n

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Addressing what are perhaps the most notoriously depraved towns in history, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Lord makes a moving appeal:<\/p>\n

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Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD: though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. (First reading)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

It is Christ’s mercy<\/em> that makes it possible for us to face the painful truth about ourselves. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is often pictured as a blazing fire, burning with ineffable love. How can one not be drawn to the warmth of this fire of Divine Mercy?<\/p>\n

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O soul steeped in darkness, do not despair. All is not yet lost. Come and confide in your God, who is love and mercy\u2026 Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet\u2026 I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy.<\/em><\/strong> \u2014Jesus to St. Faustina, Divine Mercy in My Soul<\/em>, Diary, n. 1486, 699, 1146<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

But as one does draw near to Him, the light <\/em>of this Flame also exposes one’s sins and the extent of one’s own inner darkness, often causing the weak soul to recoil in fear, disillusion and self-pity. As the Psalm today says:<\/p>\n

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I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Dont’ be afraid to see yourself as you really are! For this truth will begin <\/em>to set you free. But I do not think it is enough to simply trust in His mercy. We are saved by grace through faith, [1]<\/sup><\/a>cf. Eph 2:8<\/span><\/span>