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40 Shades of Lent by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday in the Fifth Week of Lent, 30 March 2023 Genesis 17:3-9 >>> +++ <<<. John 8:51-59
Your words today, dear God our Father remind me of my venial sins, the most common sins I take for granted because they are "small", too little and not fatal like mortal sins. Unfortunately, there is something sinister with venial sins being the most common of sins, repetitious to the point we get discouraged and even depressed of the need for conversion, to break free from our cycle of venial sins. "For what?" "Para que?" "Ganun din naman, uulit din!"
Abraham was already 99 years old when You, O God, formalized with him Your covenant to become the father of all nations; how good he was not discouraged to the point of being depressed, giving up Your plans, Father, waiting for Isaac's birth because he was very old, perhaps even sinful.
Merciful Father, forgive me when I act like the people who tried stoning Jesus when He said "before Abraham came to be, I AM" (John 8:58); don't let me get to that point that whatever You say would mean nothing to me because of my repetitious venial sins; do not let me be discouraged, God, because discouragement indicates I trust more myself than You, O Lord. Amen.
