sin ruins the party
"He is an Offering for our sins, and not for our sins only, but for those of the whole world." —1 John 2:2
The Easter season is a fifty-day Sunday, according to St. Athanasius. Throughout the Easter season the Lord wants to move us from grace to grace (Jn 1:16, JB) as we "are being transformed from glory to glory into His very image by the Lord Who is the Spirit" (2 Cor 3:18).
This may seem like an unrealistic description of Easter. Many people, even Christians, have long since forgotten about Easter 2009, although liturgically we've only just begun to celebrate the risen Christ. Our spirit of celebration may be stifled because of sin. When we refuse to repent of sin, we go back into the death of the tomb. We withdraw from the resurrection-life.
"Therefore, reform your lives! Turn to God, that your sins may be wiped away!" (Acts 3:19) "I am writing this to keep you from sin. But if anyone should sin, we have, in the presence of the Father, Jesus Christ, an Intercessor Who is just. He is an Offering for our sins, and not for our sins only, but for those of the whole world" (1 Jn 2:1-2). Confession, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, is an Easter sacrament (see Jn 20:23). Repent, go to Confession, and celebrate the whole Easter Season now and forever.
Prayer: Father, send the Spirit to convict me of my sins today (Jn 16:8).
Promise: "Whoever keeps His word, truly has the love of God been made perfect in him." —1 Jn 2:5
Praise: Alleluia! Praise the risen Jesus, Who reigns now in glory!
Reference: (For help in keeping yourself from sin, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of the following tapes: Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ, AV 82-1, V-82, How to Pray the Bible on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82, How to Read the Bible on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46, Principles of Bible Interpretation, audio AV 79-1, video V-79.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 3, 2008
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