Lenten Reflection - Day 12 - Overcoming sin

Sisters and brothers in Christ, I recently read a summary of this podcast, titled "Five Essentials to Overcome Sin" (link below), and I was not surprised that the first "essential" is humility. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ talks about the importance of humility in today's Gospel, saying: "The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Pride leads us to believe that we can take on sin by ourselves without the grace from God. Humility makes us realize that we need God in our lives, that we are insufficiently equipped against sin. With humility, we realize that we are a sinner in need of a Savior. Humility helps us to turn to God and ask Him for the strength and courage to be more like His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. With humility, we receive the Holy Spirit from Christ who gives us the wisdom to turn to the Sacraments for repentance and healing so that we can once again be reconciled with our Father in heaven.

When we are humble of heart, we are docile to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. We become malleable in loving hands of our Father, allowing Him to help us "[put] away [our] misdeeds from before [His] eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice [our] aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow." In other words, truly living the Lenten observances of praying, fasting, and almsgiving with intentionality and devoted hearts to God the Father.

Link: https://media.ascensionpress.com/podcast/five-essentials-to-overcome-sin/

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Gospel of the Day

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,

"The scribes and the Pharisees

have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.

Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,

but do not follow their example.

For they preach but they do not practice.

They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry

and lay them on people's shoulders,

but they will not lift a finger to move them.

All their works are performed to be seen.

They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,

greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'

As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'

You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.

Call no one on earth your father;

you have but one Father in heaven.

Do not be called 'Master';

you have but one master, the Christ.

The greatest among you must be your servant.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;

but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."