SIXTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
Some years ago there was a comedian who’s favorite expression was: “The devil made me do it”. How often have we used the same excuse in our own lives? When we make a mistake, we are quick to find an explanation that will take away our guilt.

You get into a fender-bender accident, and what do you say? “The car is defective…the brakes didn’t hold”. If you get caught telling a lie, you say: “Oh, I forgot about that”. If you get caught messing around, you say: “I couldn’t help myself” or “he or she led me to do that”.

The readings in the Mass today say just the opposite. They point at us and say that we are responsible. The first reading says: “IF YOU CHOOSE, YOU CAN KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS” and in the Gospel reading we hear Jesus says: “But I tell you…..”

It is true, by yourself you really cannot help yourself. But, with faith and trust in God, you can be responsible. You know, we are not in this game of life all by ourselves. HE gave us life! And HE is still with us, and we are destined to return to HIM. Why is it that we so quickly forget Who we are, Where we have come from and Where we are going? With God, nothing is impossible. I think that God LETS us fall into a lot of our troubles, just so we catch on that we depend on Him. If we never made a mistake in our lives – if we never sinned…..then who needs God?

It is about time that we all admit that we do make mistakes…even serious ones – and that we do need help from the one who put us here. As St. Paul says in the second reading today….”I can do all things in Him who strengthens me”.

If you wish, you can keep the commandments. It is within your power…..for you are not alone! God’s strength and Grace is there for you.

The next time you find yourself using words that absolve you of any quilt…just stop and take those words back. Words like: “It’s not my fault – It just happened like that – it was too much for me…the devil made me do it” How about taking responsibility for your actions and turn to the Lord for his assistance. With His help, everything is possible. The sooner we admit to ourselves our limitations, the sooner we will be able to admit it to others. There is nothing so powerful to remind us that we are just human , than SIN. Admitting our frailty is the first step to reforming our lives.

I think that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the greatest gifts Jesus gave to us. He is there to forgive us all of our sins, but we first have to admit that we do sin. We are all so human…we just hate to admit it. Humility is the beginning of wisdom and salvation. May the Lord always be with you.