We all commit mistakes

THIS, of course, is no breaking news. We all commit mistakes. Usually,

they are just small and unintentional ones, given our weaknesses and

limitations. But from time to time, we can find ourselves with big

ones, even blunders and disasters that could have been avoided but

were not.

Oftentimes, we wonder why these things happen, in spite of our good

intentions and some effort to match those intentions. Why do we fall?

Well, the “mystery of iniquity” or the “power of lawlessness” spoken

of by St. Paul (cfr. 2 Thes 2,7) continues to hound us.

Besides, as St. Paul said, “The Law came to increase and expand the

awareness of the trespass by defining and unmasking sin.” (Rom 5,20)

In other words, we become more sensitive and prone to sin because of

the Law God has given us. While before, we were not aware of our sin,

now with the Law we get to know more of our mistakes and sins.

Just the same, whether big or small, it’s not the end of the world.

There is always hope for recovery as long as we are humble enough to

acknowledge them and be sorry for them. What is more, we can take

advantage of them to learn some precious lessons. God is so merciful

he will give us endless second chances.

God always manages to insert these lessons. In his divine economy, in

his providence, nothing is wasted even if we mess up things. We just

have to be quick to realize this truth of our faith that is truly

helpful, and would save us from unnecessary worries.

Thus, we should not get too emotional when we happen to fall, letting

ourselves to drown in our guilt feelings. Let us remind ourselves

always that God at least allowed us to fall. Nothing happens without

at least God allowing it to happen. And if he allows it, it is because

there is a greater good that can be derived from. As they say, God can

write straight with crooked lines.

We should just try to go along with God’s ways, no matter how

mysterious they are. We should never doubt the goodness, love and

all-powerful mercy of God. He is a father who will always understand

us, especially when we do not understand him. As the gospel of St.

John would put it: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn

the world, but to save the world through him.” (3,17)

This very reassuring and comforting truth of our faith is reinforced

many times in Scripture. “Have I any pleasure in the death of the

wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from

his way and live?” (Ez 18,23) And St. Paul: “Where sin abounded, grace

did about more exceedingly.” (Rom 5,20)

As said earlier, we just have to take advantage of our mistakes and

sins to learn the lessons God wants us to learn. They are usually

small, but sometimes they can be big, life-changing ones.

They may just be reminders of taking things easy instead of

over-reacting, just laughing at our mistakes, instead of feeling bad

or cursing. Or they may present to us the chance for a major

conversion, a drastic change of lifestyle.

We have to learn how to properly react to our mistakes and sins. We

should be quick to say sorry, at least to God, if we would not have

the chance to do it to persons concerned, for one reason or another.

Let’s remember that of all the words that God finds most pleasing, it

is when we say, “Lord, sorry! I failed again.” Remember Christ saying:

“There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents

that over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

(Lk 15,7)