On this sixth day of the octave, two days from the beginning of 2011, the first reading reminds us of the freedom that we have. I never cease to be amazed at how many Christians talk and act as if sin is inevitable, or past a certain age we can't change.
John reminds us today that our sins have been forgiven, we know God the father , and we have conquered the Evil One. So there are no excuses for us not doing what we know to be right. We are not bound to sin just because we are human. With the grace of God we are truly free to choose.
This doesn't mean it is easy but it is possible. The key this reading reminds us is that we are strong and the word of God remains in us. We need to keep ourselves constantly aware of these realities. How do we do this? There is no magic formula. It's just a matter of practice, daily intentionality. The confiteor gives us the four categories of our daily choices.
We can choose what we will think about, what we will say, what we will do, and what we won't do.
Though the birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ, God has given us true freedom, let us use it wisely one day at a time.
