"My children, I am writing this to you
so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous one." 1 Jn. 2
This passage really stood out for me this week. I guess it reminds me that although God teaches to perfection, he understands that we are sinners and that without his advocacy we are lost. Remember the woman at the well. Jesus told her to go and sin no more yet he had to know that she was likely to sin again in some way. Why would he tell her that if there was no possibility for her to succeed. He knew what his role was in the situation. He knew he'd die for her sins. Later in the 2nd reading it talks about keeping Gods commandments and how whoever keeps his word will have God's love perfected in him. So who can possibly stay sinless in the world? Fortunately Jesus gave us something we can do that will keep his word even though we are imperfect. As we strive but fail to be good, we also say the words he shared with us at the last supper. In that act we are perfected not by our actions but by Jesus' participation in the event. If it wasn't for that simple act that Jesus commanded us to do, his death and resurrection would have been difficult if not impossible to participate in because without his active participation we have no ability to be perfect enough to gain Heaven. Because of the sacrifice of the mass, we have Christ's constant and active representation in Heaven. Lord, let Your face shine on us and let us participate in your resurrection with the security of knowing You have shown us how to do so.