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Wednesday, July 10, 2013

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Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7, 17-24
Psalm 33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19
Matthew 10:1-7

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guilt trips

"Now comes the reckoning for his blood." —Genesis 42:22

In today's first reading, we meet Joseph's ten brothers. They are starving and in prison (Gn 42:5, 17). They are in anguish (Gn 42:21). They feel they are being punished for planning to kill their brother Joseph and eventually selling him into slavery (Gn 42:21). They have been guilt-ridden for twenty-two years. Even after Joseph showed forgiveness to his brothers and tried to promote reconciliation, they remained in spiritual starvation and imprisonment for seventeen more years (see Gn 50:15). Joseph's brothers went on a thirty-nine year guilt trip.

When we sin, we must go on a guilt trip because we are guilty. Even if we rationalize our sins, we are only delaying the guilt trip. The longer we wait to go on it, the worse it becomes. The Lord wants us to admit our guilt and immediately come to Him. A guilt trip that goes to Jesus can last thirty-nine seconds instead of thirty-nine years. However, a guilt trip that goes anywhere else is prolonged indefinitely. Sin and guilt don't go away by our efforts. However, when we take sin and guilt to Jesus, they go away permanently.

The only way to get rid of guilt permanently is to take it to Jesus. Go on a guilt trip to Jesus immediately. May the trip be over in minutes or even seconds.

Prayer:  Father, may I go to Jesus, Confession, and heaven.

Promise:  Jesus "summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority to expel unclean spirits and to cure sickness and disease of every kind." —Mt 10:1

Praise:  Joan has learned to face her guilt by standing before the Lord rather than to deny it and hide.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 18, 2013

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