Thursday after Judica, 4/05/01Romans 7:15 For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. --NASB
In the name of the One Who freed us from the bonds of death, amen.
Hmm, sounds like St. Paul is a bit of a hypocrite. It sounds that way, and in fact to some extent He is, or was when he was in this life. The problem is that the influence of original sin lingers on inside of us, causing us to fall into sin again and again. The idea that we can be free from sin in this life is certainly not taught in Holy Scripture.
On the other hand, the idea that we should sin just so that we can be forgiven, or that sin doesn't matter because we are spiritual and sin is of the flesh is a damnable doctrine.
Original sin still does influence us, but it does not have to be our master. It is to be washed away in the waters of Baptism on a daily basis. Thanks be to God for freeing us from sin and death by our Baptism in Jesus Christ. May He grant us new life with Him to the glory of His holy name. Amen.
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, the disease of sin that we inherited from our father, Adam, plagues us every day of our lives. Be merciful to us, O Lord, and keep us in the true faith. Wash our sins away in the Waters of Baptism, which poured from our Savior's side, amen.
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