Uprooting the root causes of Sin

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Tenth Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Mt 5:27-32*

*First Reading : 1 Kg 19:9a, 11-16*

*Uprooting the root causes of Sin*

*1) Sin and root causes of Sin*

In the Gospel of the day Jesus highlights two important things 

Sin and the root causes of Sin

Sin is the wrong act which is done wilfully and with full knowledge

Root causes are the ones which makes the person to commit sins 

Cutting the tree and uprooting the tree has different consequences

Tree which is cut can come up again 

A tree which is urtooted can not come again 

Uprooting the causes of sin will result in destroying the sin completely

*2) Adultery and the Adultery of the Heart*

Adultery is a physical act which is done ouside the marriage relationship 

Adultery of the heart, is a sin which is committed through ones heart and mind. It can be committed by anyone 

It is the adultery of the heart ultimately gives rise to the act of adultery 

That's why one needs to uproot the causes of adultery of the heart which will help a person to come out of all kinds of adulterous action

*3) Eyes, Hands and Mobile*

In today's Gospel Jesus says *If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.*

Again Jesus says *if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.*

Today Mobile, eyes, and hands have close connection 

The eyes which sees the mobile, and the hands which operate the Mobile and the mind and heart which is very much involved in every action of the eyes, hands and mobile can cause serious sins 

Therefore we need to cut those actions from the mobile which causes us to sin 

We need to cut those desires from the heart and mind which causes us to sin 

We need to cut those apps and functions from the mobile which causes us to sin 

This is the spirit of Jesus' words in today's Gospel 

*4) Uprooting the causes of Sin - A Herculean Task*

A tree has many roots. A simple grass in the garden has many roots 

A small piece of roots which remains in the ground can give rise to new plant. Usually it happens with the grass 

A small piece of root which is left out in the mud, gives rise to new grass 

This simple example of our life shows, uprooting the grass totally along with all the roots takes long time 

One has to work continuously, keeping a close watch about the growth of new grass 

This shows the complexities of uprooting of anything in the nature and in our life 

*5) The process of uprooting the causes of sin in my life*

This mission has already begun at the time of Baptism

How far have I made progress in this area? 

Since it needs continuous efforts how far I am committed to this mission? 

How do I work in my daily life to uproot the causes of Sin?? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*