# Freed by God's grace
*2017-03-29*

> Bill Young reflects on the infinite mercy of God and the power of grace to heal the residues of sin, accompanied by the offering of the Precious Blood and the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.

## The Fullness of Mercy

In today's reflection from Pope Francis, 'Freed by God's Grace,' we look at Daniel 9:9-10, which reminds us that to the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against Him. When we are faced with the gravity of our sins, God responds with the fullness of His mercy. Mercy will always be greater than any sin, and no one can place limits on the love of God, who is ever ready to forgive.

All of us know the experience of sin. While we are called to perfection, we often feel the heavy burden of our fallen state. Even after being forgiven in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where God truly blots out our sins, the conflicting consequences and negative effects of those sins can remain in the way we think and act.

## Overcoming the Residue of Sin

The mercy of God is stronger than the lasting effects of sin. Through the grace of the Church and the Father, the sinner is freed from the residue left by the consequences of sin. This grace enables us to act through charity and to grow in love rather than falling back into old patterns. Pope Francis invites us to start our day by asking: 'With God's help, what negative effects of my past sins do I need to overcome?' This is a serious question for all of us, as we are all sinners in need of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

## Daily Offering of the Precious Blood

As part of our Lenten journey, we offer the Precious Blood of Jesus to the Eternal Father. We offer this blood, generously shed during His Passion, through the most pure hands of Mary, Mother of our Redeemer. We unite our prayers, actions, and sufferings of the day with the divine intentions of the Holy Family in reparation for our sins, for the conversion of sinners, and for the needs of the Holy Church.

## The Glorious Mysteries

We conclude our reflection by praying the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. We meditate on the Resurrection, the Ascension, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Assumption, and the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through these mysteries, we seek the fruits of faith, hope, and love, trusting in Mary's intercession to lead us closer to her Son.

*God's mercy is always greater than any sin, and through His grace, we can be freed from the lasting negative effects of our past to grow in charity and love.*