When Herod heard of Jesus, he didn't think of Jesus. Instead, Herod thought of John the Baptizer (Mt 14:2). Herod may have been eaten up with guilt for beheading John. This hell of guilt was due to murder, which was due to pride and lust (see Mt 14:3ff). Herod's lust was bred in unforgiveness or some other root sin.
When we sin, we "get on a roll" of slavery, self-deception, self-hatred, spiritual blindness, spiritual anorexia, and spiritual paralysis. Ultimately, "the wages of sin is death" (Rm 6:23). If we board the train of sin, we will do things that we consider "sick," perverted, and perverting. We will be taken to places we've never wanted to go. Ultimately, we can go to hell.
Therefore, love God and hate sin (see Sir 17:21). Resist temptations to sin – even to the point of shedding your blood (Heb 12:4). If you have sinned, repent immediately. Go to Confession. Consider this sacrament a great gift to be received at least monthly. Be a minister of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18): love sinners; hate sin; convict others of sin (see Jn 16:8); call them to repentance. Above all, thank Jesus always and forever for being the slain Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29).
| PRAYER: | Jesus, I accept You as the Offering for my sins and for the sins of the whole world (1 Jn 2:2). |
| PROMISE: | "It was the Lord Who sent me to prophesy." –Jer 26:12 |
| PRAISE: | Even in the sufferings of being exiled for his faith, St. Eusebius rejoiced in the Lord and encouraged his fellow believers, writing: "Dearly beloved, I rejoice in your faith, in the salvation that comes from faith, in your good works." |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College