Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
(Romans 2:1-11; Luke: 11:42-46)
In allowing for human failure, the Church must take care not to accept it as permissible. Sin not only damages human relations, it also undermines the thanksgiving offering that the Church makes to the Creator. Paul in the first reading today shows urgency about not condoning sin.
Paul indicates that God’s tolerance of sin is an act of mercy not permission. In not destroying sinners outright, God wants them to take advantage of His goodness by repenting. But Paul is clear that the time for repentance is limited. Sooner or later, sinners will have to pay the price of their iniquity. Paul also emphasizes that God plays no favorites. Poor as well as rich who do not turn their backs on sin will face annihilation.
Perhaps we tolerate our own sins with the thought that striving for perfection leads to neurosis. We also make excuses for our failings with such banalities as “charity covers a multitude of sins.” But perfection is a goal, not an expectation. Only by striving for it can we, with God’s help, approach perfection. It is worth the effort because it gives God glory and, again with God’s grace, merits for us eternal life.
