CUT OFF THE ROOTS OF SINS – 02/24/22 (Thursday)

Mark 9:42,43,45

42 "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.

For the full readings, click here: 

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/daily-readings

Blessed Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time! Jesus tells us that we should cut off our hands and feet if these cause us to sin. Does He mean that we should literally commit violence and harm to ourselves by cutting off our body parts? Or course, not. The body parts that He was referring represented the causes of sins. These include the temptations of pride, of seeking approval from people, the desires of worldly riches, boasting of achievements and many other sins. At the same time, our Lord also calls us to stay away from people who scandalize us to commit sins. This is why Jesus expresses eternal punishment for people who do not repent for scandalizing the children of God. 

Unfortunately, we may experience peer pressure from our loved ones like friends. We could be pressured to imitate their ways, even if these acts are not in accordance with God's will, just for us to satisfy our needs to belong with them. When we do not spend more time in our prayers, our hearts will prioritize wealth, approval, and achievements. Even the internet, which is supposed to be a tool of knowledge and communication, can also be the means by which other people commit sins like anger, gossipping, and lust. However, we cannot bring these worldly things to heaven, and in fact, they can endanger us to go to hell where the souls are totally excluded from God. The sinful desires that many people indulge in are empty because only the mercy of our Lord can satisfy the thirsts of our hearts. Jesus Christ is calling us to cut off the root causes of our sins and to practice detachment for us to be fully united to God alone. In this way, we can be saved from the fires of hell, and our hearts will be filled by the fire of God's love which will purify us from our sins.

May we dedicate our lives to trusting God and being faithful to Him. What are the root causes of our sins? What occasions make us easier to fall to temptations? Who influences us to commit sinful acts that do not please our Lord? May we choose to give our time to God in our reflection and ask Him how we can obey His will and reject the temptations that we experience in life. If our hearts are centered on God and His commandments, He will cleanse us of our imperfections and grant us the gift of interior detachment. Our Lord will purify our hearts of every evil desire as we hope to enter His Heavenly Kingdom reserved for people with childlike trust in Him. 

Amen +

 

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic