I think the verse from Paul that says “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15) sums up the first reading for today. Imagine being in Pharaoh’s shoes during this time. He has just gone through all these terrible plagues that have ripped through his very understanding of God and His power. He has just lost his firstborn son and heard crying and wailing all throughout the land from his very own people. His heart has become so hardened by sin that he is willing to go through all of this affliction instead of admitting that God is in charge. He finally gives in but then immediately regrets his decision and allows his heart to become even more hardened.
I can’t help but think of myself when I read the story of Pharaoh. How many times have I continued on with a specific sin thinking that my way is better than God’s? How many times have I hurt others without thinking about the consequences of my actions? How many times have I pushed God away and tried to control my own life and be my own god? I take hope in knowing that I am not alone. Paul seems to be grappling with this same problem as he writes to the Romans.
This isn’t some old problem that just existed thousands of years ago. If we are honest with ourselves I think we can all conjure up a memory of something we did that we didn’t want to do, but we remained obstinate in our decision. The Church would call this concupiscence, or the desire for sin. We all have it as a result of Original Sin. The way to overcome our desire for sin is total and complete reliance on God. Once we realize that God actually wants our happiness and wants to fulfill the deepest desires of our hearts, the less enticing sin becomes. It is the difference between eating table scraps like a dog and enjoying a bountiful feast. We can only do it through grace.
Christ has come to soften our hearts. He has come to make us new. The question is do we believe it? Do we believe God really wants what is best for us? Do we believe he still has the same power today as he did when he parted the Red Sea? Do we believe that the sacraments will give us the grace to endure any temptation? If we don’t, then we need to start asking for the gift of faith.
Let’s all take a moment today to ask for God’s grace to come into our hearts, not only for the strength to face temptation, but to see that God wants to fulfill our deepest desires. Only then can we be freed from bondage through the power of God, just like the Israelites.
From all of us here at Diocesan, God bless!
Creo que el versículo de Pablo que dice “No entiendo lo que hago, porque no hago lo que quiero, sino lo que aborrezco, eso hago” (Romanos 7,15) resume la primera lectura de hoy. Imagínense estar en el lugar del faraón durante este tiempo. Acaba de pasar por todas estas terribles plagas que han destrozado su comprensión de Dios y su poder. Acaba de perder a su hijo primogénito y ha escuchado llantos y lamentos por toda la tierra de su propio pueblo. Su corazón se ha endurecido tanto por el pecado que está dispuesto a pasar por toda esta aflicción en lugar de admitir que Dios está a cargo. Finalmente cede, pero inmediatamente se arrepiente de su decisión y permite que su corazón se endurezca aún más.
Me pongo a pensar en mí misma cuando leo la historia del faraón. ¿Cuántas veces he continuado con un pecado específico pensando que mi manera es mejor que la de Dios? ¿Cuántas veces he lastimado a otros sin pensar en las consecuencias de mis acciones? ¿Cuántas veces he apartado a Dios y he tratado de controlar mi propia vida y ser mi propio dios? Me da esperanza saber que no estoy solo. Pablo parece estar lidiando con este mismo problema cuando escribe a los romanos.
No se trata de un problema antiguo que existía hace miles de años. Si somos honestos con nosotros mismos, creo que todos podemos evocar el recuerdo de algo que hicimos y que no queríamos hacer, pero nos obstinamos en nuestra decisión. La Iglesia lo llamaría concupiscencia o el deseo de pecar. Todos lo tenemos como resultado del pecado original. La manera de vencer nuestro deseo de pecar es confiar total y completamente en Dios. Una vez que nos damos cuenta de que Dios realmente quiere nuestra felicidad y quiere cumplir los deseos más profundos de nuestro corazón, el pecado se vuelve menos atractivo. Es la diferencia entre comer las sobras de la mesa como un perro y disfrutar de un banquete abundante. Solo podemos hacerlo por medio de la gracia.
Cristo ha venido a ablandar nuestros corazones. Ha venido a hacernos nuevos. La pregunta es: ¿lo creemos? ¿Creemos que Dios realmente quiere lo mejor para nosotros? ¿Creemos que todavía tiene el mismo poder hoy que tenía cuando dividió las aguas del Mar Rojo? ¿Creemos que los sacramentos nos darán la gracia para soportar cualquier tentación? Si no lo creemos, entonces debemos comenzar a pedir el don de la fe.
Tomémonos un momento hoy para pedir que la gracia de Dios entre en nuestros corazones, no solo para darnos la fuerza para enfrentar la tentación, sino para ver que Dios quiere cumplir nuestros deseos más profundos. Solo entonces podremos liberarnos de la esclavitud a través del poder de Dios, al igual que los israelitas.
De parte de todos nosotros aquí en Diocesan, ¡Dios los bendiga!
Tommy Shultz is a Business Development Representative for Diocesan. In this role he is committed to bringing the best software to dioceses and parishes while helping them evangelize on the digital continent. Tommy has worked in various diocese and parish roles since his graduation from Franciscan University with a Theology degree. He hopes to use his skills in evangelization, marketing, and communications, to serve the Church and bring the Good News to all. His favorite quote comes from St. John Paul II, who said, “A person is an entity of a sort to which the only proper and adequate way to relate is love.”
Feature Image Credit: Simon Berger, unsplash.com/photos/five-persons-riding-camels-walking-on-sand-beside-pyramid-of-egypt-boyXZfqpwpU
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
The post I Do What I Hate / Hago lo que odio appeared first on Diocesan.