Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.

We are all God’s children and He wants the best for us. He wants us to live good lives and to grow in faith, hope, and love. He wants us to become the best versions of ourselves and choose right over wrong. He gives us every grace to succeed as His children. And if we do fail, He is there to pick us up again, dust us off, and bandage our wounds. He may be disappointed in us, but He will never abandon us. Instead, He will treat us with mercy and compassion and continue to teach us what is good and evil, hoping that we will not repeat our mistakes or fall again. And if we do? He is there again, willing to forgive and forget, if we will but admit our sins, do penance, and try to amend our lives.

Do we act like children of God? Are our lives reflective of our Heavenly Father’s Divine Love and Mercy? How can we amend our lives and become worthy heirs to God’s Kingdom?

O Lord, grant us the grace to choose goodness over sin.

Amen.

First Monday of Advent

“Come, let us climb the LORD's mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.

Once we recognize God is our Lord and King, we shall be like the nations mentioned here... we shall find peace. The conflicts in our lives, both great and small, come from rebellions against God. From Adam and Eve to our own sinfulness, we wage a war with ourselves. We do what we know is wrong and avoid the good because being a sinner is easier than being a saint. However, if we want to have a place in the Kingdom of Heaven, then we must climb the mountain of holiness, follow its narrow path, and exert every effort to live good and faithful lives. We might stumble and fall along the way, but as long as we dust ourselves off, return to the right path, and trust in God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace, then we shall eventually find the Gates of Heaven and be found worthy to join in the never-ending Beatific Feast.

Are we climbing the mountain of holiness or sliding into the valley of sin? How can we amend our lives so we can more easily follow the Way, the Truth, and the Life that leads to Heaven? What can we do to become living saints?

O Lord, lead us up the mountain to eternal life with you.

Amen.