In the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us hear about so many deaths happening around us. Thousands of people are dying each day due to COVID-19 throughout the world. Today in the Gospel proclama- tion we are reminded of another kind of death: dying to our sins. We are all trapped in sin knowingly or unknowingly. As Charles Spurgeon says: “God takes cognizance of the emotions from which acts of hate may spring and calls us to account as much for the angry feeling as for the murderous deed. Words also come under the same condemnation. People shall be judged for what they shall say to their brothers and sisters. To call a person ‘worthless’, is to kill them in their reputation, and to say to someone, “fool,” is to kill them as to the noblest characteristics of a person.” Only when we have remembered our wrong-doing, and made reconciliation, can we hope for acceptance with the Lord. During this season of Lent, let us continue to allow the Lord to purify our words and deeds and speak lovingly to others.

Prayer: Abba Father, wash me in the precious blood of Jesus. Cleanse my thoughts and desires that cause me to sin. Amen.