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Thursday, January 4, 2018

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St. Elizabeth Ann Seton


1 John 3:7-10
Psalm 98:1, 7-9
John 1:35-42

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what's a three-letter word for death?

"The man who sins belongs to the devil." —1 John 3:8

Sin is:

  • rebellion against God,
  • rejecting Jesus, Who loves us so much that He died for us,
  • being deceived, and therefore being manipulated and degraded,
  • slavery and an abuse of freedom,
  • often enjoyable for a while,
  • deadly,
  • pride,
  • denying reality,
  • belonging "to the devil, because the devil is a sinner from the beginning" (1 Jn 3:8),
  • breaking our baptismal covenant,
  • hurting ourselves and others,
  • acting as the devil's child (see 1 Jn 3:10),
  • refusing to love,
  • the cause of all the evils in the world,
  • the way to damnation in hell forever,
  • to be avoided at all costs (see Heb 12:4), and
  • so bad that God became a man and shed His blood to save us from our sins (see 1 Tm 1:15).

Therefore, for God's sake and for love, let us repent of our sins and make frequent use of the privilege of going to Confession. Our Christmas Confessions are a great start to the year. Jesus has died to save us from our sins. May His death not be in vain for us (see 1 Cor 1:17; Gal 2:21). Repent now!

Prayer:  Father, send the Holy Spirit to make holy my life, family, Christmas, and year.

Promise:  "Look! There is the Lamb of God!" —Jn 1:36

Praise:  St. Elizabeth encouraged: "Be above the vain fears of nature and efforts of your enemy. You are children of eternity."

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 3, 2017

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