29th Week in OT 2019 - Wednesday - Weapons of Righteousness

A few years ago, Pope Francis was asked in an interview: “Who is Jorge Mario Bergolio?” And the holy father answered simply: “I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner.” He said something similar  when he was asked by the Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel if he would accept his election. He said to them: “I am a sinner, but I trust in the infinite mercy and patience of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

St. Paul is quite clear in our reading this morning that even after our rebirth in baptism, sin continues to have a certain sway in us and in the world. We are all sinners, we experience temptation, and fall, some of us many times, into the same-old sins. And yet, God is every merciful and patient, as Pope Francis says. And when we humbly and sincerely approach the mercy of God, we begin to experience a freedom from those sinful tendencies.

And something amazing happens when we humbly approach the mercy of God: the parts of our personalities which were held under the sway of sin become “weapons of righteousness” St Paul says today. Pride when handed over to the mercy of God is transformed into a humility that shames the devil. Greed when handed over to the mercy of God is transformed into generous self-giving through which God feeds and nourishes his people. Lust when handed over to the mercy of God is transformed into passion for prayer and the works of charity. Sloth when handed over to the mercy of God is transformed into diligence and piety which build up the Church.

Slaves of sin are transformed by grace into slaves of righteousness, Paul says. A saint is a sinner who has kept trying.

This is why we do well to examine our lives and humbly acknowledge those sinful tendencies which remain, because those are potential weapons for righteousness. For the person who fails to examine his life and acknowledge his sins will ultimately fail to grow in righteousness. That which is not handed over to God will not be converted, which makes empty confession lines quite concerning.
And the Lord’s parable this morning speaks of the eternal destiny of those who fail to acknowledge their sinfulness and  hand their lives over to God.

So may we be generous and diligent in repenting of sin and handing more and more of our lives over to God, that we may be transformed in righteousness for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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That all Christians may know the grace of sincere repentance and seek to grow in virtue and the fruits of the spirit.
For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of October, “that the breath of the Holy Spirit may engender a new missionary ‘spring’ in the Church.
That young people be inspired to respond generously to God’s call to sanctity, and for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
For all the sick and suffering, and for all those in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice care, for all those who will die today, for their consolation and that of their families.
For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, for the deceased clergy and religious of our diocese, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
God of mercy, hear our prayers, ease the sufferings and comfort the weakness of your servants, and bring us to eternal life, through Christ our Lord.