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TODAY’S WORD…

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Do not be so confident of forgiveness
that you add sin to sin.
Do not say, “His mercy is great,
He will forgive the multitude of my sins”,
for both mercy and wrath are with Him,
and His anger will rest on sinners.

Do not delay to turn back to the Lord,
and do not postpone it from day to day;
for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come upon you,
and at the time of punishment you will perish.

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– Sirach 5:5-7 (NRSV)

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REFLECTION…

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Presumption, that is, excess of confidence,

is unfortunately a very common temptation.

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The worst form of presumption

is that of those who take the goodness and mercy of God for granted,

who sin without fear of punishment,

who see no value in repentance,

who do not heed the call to conversion and penance.

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We need to guard against such an attitude,

we need to change our life where it needs changing.

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God forgives the repentant heart

but true repentance is, as Jesus Himself indicates,

to “Go, and sin no more.” (Jn 8:11)

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PRAYER…

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O my God,

I am sorry

and beg pardon for all my sins,

and detest them above all things,

because they deserve Your dreadful punishments,

because they have crucified my loving Saviour Jesus Christ

and, most of all,

because they offend Your infinite goodness.

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I firmly resolve,

with the help of Your grace,

never to offend You again,

and to carefully avoid the occasions of sin.

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Amen.

…...

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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My Lord and my God,

I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace,

never to offend You again.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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To return to communion with God after having lost it through sin

is a process born of the grace of God

who is rich in mercy and solicitous for the salvation of men.

One must ask for this precious gift for oneself and for others.

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[CCC 1489]

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The movement of return to God, called conversion and repentance,

entails sorrow for and abhorrence of sins committed,

and the firm purpose of sinning no more in the future.

Conversion touches the past and the future

and is nourished by hope in God’s mercy.

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[CCC 1490]

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[*] Today’s prayer: The Act of Contrition.