SATURDAY HOMILY: Sin Brings Sadness, Conversion Brings Joy

1/19/2013

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at his house in Jesus' honor and invite his friends, most of whom were fellow "tax collectors and sinners." He had just given up everything to follow Christ, but he wasn't sad. Instead, he threw a party! Why? Because he had been lost but now he was found. He was exceedingly grateful to the Lord and he could not contain his joy.

These words spoken by our Holy Father at his inaugural Mass as pope come to mind: "Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return" (Homily, Benedict XVI, April 24, 2005).

Sin always leads to sadness. If left unattended to and "untreated," as it were, sin can lead to despair and final impenitence. On the other hand, true conversion leads to joy. When one finds his way, when one knows he's on the path that God has set out for him, the heart rejoices. "Blessed those whose way is blameless, who walk by the law of the LORD" (Psalm 119:1).

We can ask ourselves, How readily have I responded to the call of God in my life? Am I generously following the path He has shown me or am I holding back? Do I know the saving joy that comes from following God's will?

Grant, O Lord, that we may always be renewed by the food we receive from Christ.

Just as Jesus entered into St. Matthew's life and changed him forever, more and more the Lord wants to enter into our lives especially in our times of prayer and in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This is where He feeds us and speaks to our souls. Can you not hear Him say to you the very words He spoke to Levi-Matthew? "Follow me!" And what will be your answer?

In this Year of Faith we should be praying for the grace of conversion for ourselves and for the whole world. God wants everyone to be saved and to know the joy of living in His presence. May Holy Mary, Refuge of Sinners, and St. Matthew, sinner turned saint, intercede for us!

Fr. G. Peter Irving III is a priest of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and is pastor of Holy Innocents Church, Long Beach, California.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: abortion issue, roe v wade, year of faith, daily homily, Fr. G. Peter Irving, Margaret Sanger, Mike Wallace, contraception, aborton, sin, conversion, Saint Matthew

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1 - 6 of 6 Comments

ac
3 months ago
I am so grateful that the Kippleys were teaching natural family planning (NFP) despite all the dissent from this teaching that Sanger really got rolling. {for 40 years now at Natural Family Planning International} "We" were ecologically breastfeeding our first child and learned that this is a form of child spacing for many. Then we were able to get their information on 'charting' for spacing babies. Now, our lives, about 30 years later, is so sweet with few regrets. Holy Mother Church is right "on spot" to promote this 'gem' of a teaching.
**Wonderful post, Pater.
Robert Burford
4 months ago
I have been moved to comment about the scripture for today and Sunday January 20. In the scripture for today Jesus converted a sinner to a saint. In the January 20th gospel He converted water to wine at Cana. What strikes me most in the conversion, the change. How Jesus changes us and takes the ordinary to something special for His purposes. Mary said it best when she told the stewards to do whatever He tells you. This gives me hope for all the people that I pray that they might change. St Matthew was willing and the wine stewards were willing and the impossible became possible. Hope.
Proteios1
4 months ago
I know it's obvious to most of us, but who is taking away women's birth control. Me not wanting to pay for it is not equivalent to taking it away. Just like these whiney little atheists who have had a privileged life...if not forcing you to be Christian by wearing a cross around MY neck. If you want coercion, goto Egypt where they convert you at gunpoint and crucify those who don't convert. That is oppression, not a delicate little snowflake seeing my faith.
Elodie
4 months ago
Blessed be Fr. Peter for this Homily...
1- The title is (as always) what attracted me to read this article. Especially because in my life I depress a lot and I have these moments where I can be sad for days without even knowing why. After reading this article and reflecting back on my last "sadness periods", I do admit that there was a lot of guilt in my heart, may be due to the lack of confession of my sins.

2- This article also gives me hope because many times I forget that all the apostles were once sinners!!!!! I focus on their "after-conversion" life and feel that I am so far away from God. HOwever today I am remembered that I will never be to far awar from Him and that I do need to convert from my HEART and MIND, not just in words...

May God increases our faith during this year and fill our hearts with the CONSTANT desire to follow Him to the BEST of our capability.

E.
jh
4 months ago
Lovely explanation relating St. Matthew's situation and conversion to our modern lives. Helpful questions and prayers, too.
abey
4 months ago
Too often opponents of Christians including some so called Christians try to silence truth like saying "Do not Judge" even Quoting Biblical words, when the truth is that there is a resultant to any Judgements like to a Judgement in a court, in other words that which is basically to even an opinion is termed Judgement. Truth is to recognition by the Holy Spirit so also is untruth recognized through the Spirit & in this case Truth is Truth irrespective whether it be termed Judgmental or Negative. In the case of Sanger her unhappiness was to the lie she was speaking about life. The Truth of life which is to Christ can only be hidden but never erased & that which makes it to be hidden is Sin & to this there is nothing called "Hidden Truth" terming it "Gnosis" except it be to the hidden one.

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