Daily Gospel Reflection for October 16, 2021

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 12:8-12

Before I became Catholic, I remember listening to a sermon at the Protestant church I attended, and feeling utterly confused about the unforgivable sin we read about in today’s Gospel. I never fully understood what this grave sin was, but I feared that I had already unknowingly blasphemed against the Holy Spirit and was now doomed for all eternity.
I was relieved to learn from a Catholic friend that the Church defined this sin in a much simpler way: The unforgivable sin is believing that you are unforgivable. It’s a state where you have given up all hope that Our Lord’s sacrifice was enough, it’s hating yourself so much that you can’t possibly believe that God would ever take you back. It’s giving in to despair and letting it overtake you to the point that you reject God’s mercy.

I have admittedly experienced moments where I didn’t feel God’s presence, even extended periods of a dry spell in my prayer life. But the beauty and truth of reconciliation is that God meets you at the gate. Just like the parable of the prodigal son, if you take one small step towards Him, He runs to embrace you, even before you utter the words, “Father, forgive me.” It is in the confessional where we acknowledge Our Lord and His divine mercies, where we acknowledge that He is able to forgive any and all ugly sins we have committed against Him. Thank God for the Holy Spirit and our guardian angel who gives us that nudge to go to Confession! If we hear His voice and obey, we will become His vessel in demonstrating the transformative work that takes place in that holy sacrament of Penance.

Ponder:

What are some ways you can remind yourself today of Our Lord's infinite mercies for your sins?

Pray:

Dear Lord, I am so grateful that no matter how devastating my sin is, You are able to forgive it all, if only I come to You for forgiveness.

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The beauty and truth of reconciliation is that God meets you at the gate. #dailygospel

Copyright 2021 Kimberly Lynch