Twenty-Eighth Friday of Ordinary Time

There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.

There is no such thing as a private sin. God sees all. He knows exactly how, when, and why we sin. He sees beyond our flawed logic, our misguided reasoning, and our disordered passions. He knows that nothing we do in secret ever just affects us. Every sin has a cost beyond ourselves. It costs us in time, energy, relationships, and in many other ways. It is easy to overlook the cost of sin, but it is always there and it leaves behind a void that we cannot fill except when we seek God's Mercy. Every time we choose evil over good we harm not only ourselves, but everyone around us. We might claim our sin is harmless, but that is only because we do not see all the ramifications of our sinful acts.

How often do our sins keep us from being there for friends, families, and neighbors? How often do our sins keep us from knowing, loving, and serving God and others? What can we do to replace the sins in our lives with virtues that lead others to heaven?

O Lord, you know everything about us. Show us who you want us to be and give us the graces we need to accept your calling.

Amen.