FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
(Part 96)
SIN NO MORE
March 22, 2021
Today’s gospel:
John 8:1-11
Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” (v.11b). That is mercy. It is loving the sinner. It is not condemning but desiring the restoration of the sinner. But in loving the sinner, one should also hate the sin. In not condemning, one must look to helping the sinner get out of his/her sin. In showing mercy, it should not be false mercy, which results in sinners remaining in their sin, and thus ultimately earning condemnation.
“Sin no more” is a powerful and loving phrase of restoration and renewal. It is what is mainly missing in today’s Church approach of accompaniment. Many pastors today just look to acceptance, embrace and accompaniment of the sinner but without talking of the person’s sin, because it is offensive. People do not want to offend, but what greater offense would there be than to lose one’s soul? People want to be nice, but what is nice about sin?
Many pastors do still recognize sin as sin, but by the way they speak or do not speak, they are in effect condoning sin.
* The Pope accepts same-sex civil unions. But same-sex unions are wrong and intrinsically evil. Just because it is not same-sex marriage or sacramental union, it is already acceptable?
* Priests and parishes have LGBT Masses. LGBTs are welcome to attend Mass, but to have Masses specifically for LGBTs gives the signal that what they do is acceptable. And they are given Holy Communion. So if one can go to Mass and receive Communion, what need is there to repent of sin?
* Bishops and priests insist on giving a blessing to same-sex couples. This condones and affirms sodomy, and gives them the impression that God approves of their sin.
* Bishops do not speak out against Catholic public figures who claim to be devout but are rabidly pro-abortion. Prominent Catholics such as US President Biden and Speak of the House Pelosi claim to be devout but are all-out in supporting and expanding abortion. They are even given Communion by some. This deceives the ordinary lay Catholic who sees this and so believes it is acceptable, as bishops are not speaking out against it.
* Catholic schools, mainly run by religious orders, have Gay and Lesbian Clubs. This legitimizes sin. This deceives young minds into acceptance of LGBT, since their pastors and educators think it is acceptable.
Such political correctness is not the way of Jesus. Such non-condemnation and just silence about grievous sin is not mercy. Such is not truly loving the sinner. Such is not accompaniment back to God, but into damnation.
The way of Jesus is simple. Love the sinner but hate the sin. Condemn not the sinner but condemn the sin. Accompany the sinner back to God and not continue along the way of perdition. All it takes is three simple words: Sin no more.
