Dear friends, our God is the most loving, merciful and forgiving Father! The creator of our inner-most beauty, the soul, mind, and spirit. Hence, every sin is ingratitude towards this loving Creator, who made you and me out of LOVE! When we sin, there exist an immediate disconnect between us and God.

Something goes wrong with our natural beauty installed by our creator, who made all things well from the beginning. Antony Kolencherry wrote, "Yes, sin distorts the life of grace; sin disfigures the beauty of the soul." Sing:

"God of Mercy and Compassion"

It's a common saying that, "To err is human, to forgive is divine". This is so true because we are created to be limited/imperfect, but our God loves us still, but hate sin! Forgiveness is love in action. An African proverb says, "He who forgives ends the quarrel." Jesus is our friend, so He

forgives and forgets the moment we humble ourselves and ask for mercy. In this Year of Mercy, let us seek his face more humbly, to restore our inner beauty stolen by sin (sin of commission or omission). No one is perfect dear.

Ps.32 says, "Happy is the man whose offence is forgiven, whose sin is remitted...but now, I have acknowledged my sins: my guilt I did not hide. I said: I will confess my offence to the Lord". Why not get up from your slumber and approach your God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, just like

David and the woman in our gospel today? "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow". Sing: "Sun mo Olorun o, ore ko le sun mo o, o feran re o, ese lomu iyapa wa, dagbere fun ese..."

In our Readings this Sunday, (2Sam.12:7ff and Lk.7:36ff), we now realise that no matter how disfigured you are right now, the terrible name/image you may have in the sight of men/women, you are still precious to God. All he needs is a contrite heart and a sincere contrition. Just kneel before the priest and say,

Lord God, I am Sorry!!! And a new life begins immediately. Late Rev Fr Prof Thomas Ilesanmi's song comes to mind here: "E ronu e p'iwada nitori ajinde...nitori ati sun dandan, ese re ko ni takoko o..."

Note: The closer you are to God, the greater your distance from sin. The woman removed shame and fear before approaching Christ. She was so humble, unlike the pharisees who only invited Jesus for a meal, nothing more, just for recognition in the society. Shun pride today and get refreshed in Christ.

And at the end of her restoration of the inner beauty, she heard the voice of Christ saying, "Your Faith has saved you; go in Peace". What a relive we get after Confession! Why are you still in that bondage to sin? "What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again..."

In an interview, At age 35 late Muhammed Ali was asked what he would do after retiring from boxing, he said, "Life is real short...I am going do all I can to help people, using my name to helping charities, helping people, & uniting people... then get myself ready to meet God and go to d best

place!". We can also begin our journey to life now!!! Let us encounter Christ in the Eucharist and he will lead us to the promisedland, where true peace exists. Be grateful. Nelson Mandela said, "Forgiveness liberates". You too can set yourself free 2day by humbly asking God for Mercy. Sing: "O happy day hat fixed my choice, on thee, my Saviour and my God, well may this glowing heart rejoice, and tell it raptures all abroad...Happy day(x2), when Jesus washed my sins away..."

Finally, "we are imperfect people full of follies and foibles, but through Christ we become living stones in his Church" (Fr. John Pichappilly). God bless us all this week.

 Happy Sunday in advance!!!

 Fr. Balogun

Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan