Jesus gave us the Sacraments for a reason - And the reason is - We need them!

Today in the first readings from Mass we hear how King David falls into sin…He has sexual relations with a married woman………”One evening David rose from his siesta and strolled about on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful. David had inquiries made about the woman and was told, “She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, and wife of Joab’s armor bearer Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers and took her. When she came to him, he had relations with her”…Now keep this in mind - King David was a chosen person - God said that David was “A Man After My Own Heart" - And David still committed this mortal sin…Not only did he commit adultery but he had the husband of Bathsheba killed as well…..How could such a man like David do this!?!…….Before we condemn David, we should keep in mind that all human beings have a fallen nature and if you think that somehow you are not capable of sinning as David did - Think again!……For this very reason, Jesus walked the earth - To take away our sins…But how?…..Jesus gave us a Church and in the Church we can take advantage of the Sacraments, which elevate our human nature…This reality is ignored by so many in the world - Even Protestants ignore it…The Sacraments are “the medicine” for mankind’s fallen nature….Frequent Confession and Frequent reception of the Blessed Sacraments provide us with grace…And its this grace that keep us from destroying our life by chasing after the sins of the world…Never take for granted the grace given to us from the Sacraments - Never take for granted the reality that YOU AND I are sinners and without grace we would be completely lost!…I state this because it’s very easy to “forget” - And the devil knows this!…..Jesus tells us in Scripture - “Without me, you can do nothing”…..Do you believe that? - If not you should….Just ask King David - I am sure he would tell you the same thing as Jesus did - “Without me, you can do nothing”!

“Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.”

Today in America more the fifty percent of marriages end in divorce…Why do you think that is the case?…..For one, most people do not know what love is - Love is more than a “feeling” - Its a decision….Its a commitment to die to your self for another completely……And in order to live that way, we need God’s grace…..This is the driving mistake today in most American marriages - We do not live our married vows Sacramentally!….Jesus created a Church, which makes available to us seven Sacraments…Marriage is a Sacrament because in order to have a good marriage, one needs God’s grace - Don’t believe me? - Just look at the divorce numbers in America and think again!…..When a man and a woman live their marriage in accordance to the vows they professed at the altar - When they attended Mass each Sunday together - When they are open to life - And make sure they stay in the state of grace by frequently going to confession…The couple is given the “tools” to love the way God calls them to love - To love Sacrificially - Without God’s grace - That is NEVER going to happen!……By nature human beings are selfish and over time and with God’s grace, we learn to become selfless - In essence we learn to love as God loves…..The greatest killer of marriage and of love is selfishness…..One can not love when one is selfish…..Because love gives completely, it never takes.

“Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom”

Today we hear at Mass about a great fall from grace - How King David sins mortally…..This story should serve as a reminder to us all…Never underestimate the devil - “Who roams the earth like a lion seeking the ruin of souls”….For this very reason we should also cleave to Christ through his Church…..St Paul tells us……”For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”…….Jesus Christ defeated death and came among us for the forgiveness of sins….We can not “save” our self….We must cooperate with God…..To live outside the Sacraments is a fools errand…Jesus gave us the Sacraments for a reason - And the reason is - We need them!……………………..JMJ