Sin's Grasp
"God hears us in regard to whatever we ask, according to his will." (John 5:14-21)
"God hears us in regard to whatever we ask, according to his will." (John 5:14-21)
In our 1st Reading, John gives us all a 2x4 tap on the head, reminding us how to pray, despite our sinful selves.
Deadly sins, for which we must first recognize and then ultimately abandon are: pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed, and sloth. How easy for any one these behaviors or feelings to rear its ugly head into our day-to-day routine without us being alert and mindful of their presence.
How often are we a “glutton for punishment” or exhibit too much pride or greed of what we “have”, or display/hold anger for “someone who did us wrong”. Do we stop these before they begin? Are we on guard, every day, of them creeping in?
By the grace of God, He allows us to go before him, humbly, asking for his forgiveness … and he lovingly, with open arms, does! As the responsorial psalm proclaims: The Lord takes delight in his people.
Having a prayerful life, where we constantly/consistently ask God to be present, to guide us, to assist us, to help us, is a gift given to us, for he is ever present and protects us.
Which one, if any, of the deadly sins come and linger before you?
Father in Heaven, please help us identify what sin still has a grip on us, lead us to reconciliation with you, so that we can ultimately fulfill your will. Amen.
Judi Prinzivalli is a native New Yorker and has been a Tampa Bay resident since 1999.  Judi attends Resurrection Catholic Church in Riverview, FL where she proudly serves as a member of the Parish Council, is a Lector, a Eucharistic Minister, and participates in the Sick and Homebound Ministry.  Judi and her husband Landy Colón are graduates of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute program (www.dosp.org/lpmi). They have two married daughters who live out of state, and are caretakers of Judi’s mom, who lives close by. She is a small-business owner (www.adjudicake.com) where she proudly helps her customers celebrate, solve or settle all the little things in life .. with cake!”
