COVERED WITH PAINT (01-07-13)

1 John 5:16

If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he should pray to God and he will give him life.

We decided to repaint our condo unit.  But instead of hiring someone to do it, I decided to do it myself.  I am not really good at it, but isn’t it just a matter of pour, dip and brush?

And I learned it the hard way.  I came to realize that I need to prepare the surface to be painted before.  I need to check on the cracks and put patches so the surface would be even.  I need to sand the rough surfaces.  And I have to wipe out dirt, blotches and dust.

And after doing all of these, only then can I apply the white paint.  All the preparations I have done made the surface smooth, clean and shiny.  That is because nothing broken or dirty is hidden underneath that white paint.

In our lives also, we tend to cover all our sins with acts of goodness so that everyone would say that we are a better person.  We would quote biblical passages.  We would attend Sunday mass.  We would (sometimes) give alms to the poor so our names would be published and be known by all.

But we know that underneath that “white paint” is a broken and dirty being that is sinning over and over again.

So need to check out the cracks, the dirt, and the dust in our lives.  We need to take them out by repenting.  We should ask God to forgive all our sins, trying to sin no more as we start covering our self with His white paint of protection.  And in so doing, the white paint does not become just a cover, but a replacement of our old self.

Repent now and throw away your old self.  Tomorrow may be too late.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, forgive us our sins.  Take away all the dirt, cracks and dust from our old self as we prepare to accept the white paint of a new life that you are preparing for us.  Forgive us, Lord, we ask in Jesus name, Amen +

The Lord takes delight in his people.