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Monday, April 10, 2000

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Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62
Psalm 23
John 8:1-11

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"How you have grown evil with age! Now have your past sins come to term." —Daniel 13:52

There's no fool like an old fool, and there's no sinner like an old sinner. In an old sinner, sins are multiplied and developed, self-deception has become an art form, and the heart is not only hardened but almost fossilized. A case in point is the two old judges, who tried to commit adultery with Susanna and then lied to have her executed. These judges had:

  • let beauty seduce them (Dn 13:56),
  • subverted their consciences by lust (Dn 13:8-9, 56),
  • committed adultery (Dn 13:57),
  • passed unjust sentences (Dn 13:53),
  • condemned the innocent (Dn 13:53), and
  • freed the guilty (Dn 13:53).

It's difficult to find a sin by itself. Sins come in large groups. It's humanly impossible to stop at committing one sin. Sins are catalytic. They start chain-reactions, which start more chain-reactions, until they crash in repentance or damnation. Therefore:

  • Resist all temptations, even if you have to shed your own blood (Heb 12:4).
  • Repent immediately, before it's too late (see Sir 18:21).
  • Go to Confession at least monthly to prevent sin from escalating.
  • Pray for the Lord to intervene in the lives of sinners, to do the impossible, and to lead us out of sin into repentance.

Prayer:  Father, make me a messenger of repentance and reconciliation (2 Cor 5:19-20).

Promise:  "Jesus said, 'Nor do I condemn you. You may go. But from now on, avoid this sin.' " —Jn 8:11

Praise:  Susan promotes frequent Confession by practicing it.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, October 4, 1999


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 1999