Lord, teach me your statutes.-- Psalm 119:68
Mass readings: Romans 7:18-25 / Luke 12:54-59
Today's first reading has a verse that has to bring great comfort to anyone who has tried and tried to quit smoking or drinking too much or overeating or gossiping or using foul language or . . . or committing any other sin that has become a deeply engrained habit. In other words, a verse that has to bring great comfort to all of us. To each of us. ''For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want.''
But more than comfort, there's also a key here that can help free us from those ''favorite'' sins. The more good we do, the less time, energy and inclination we have to do that evil, to commit that favorite sin.
Prayer: Dear Lord, give me the desire -- and the energy -- to do good today.