The Incarnation and the Exultation: An Advent Devotional - Thursday, First Week of Advent – Hoping in the Promises of God
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The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor shall the children be put to death for the fathers; every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
Deuteronomy 24:16
The soul that sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.
Ezekiel 18:20
Although the sins of a father often bring negative consequences to his descendants, God is merciful in administering justice. While he does not punish us for sins we have not committed, sadly, the consequences of sin are far-reaching, and God does permit them to fall even on the innocent. This is part of the mystery of evil and the even greater mystery of human freedom. Yet God works all things to the good for those who love him and place their trust in him. No matter what we may suffer due to our fathers’ sins, God’s goodness and mercy are infinitely more powerful.
The awesome truth is that we can break the cycle of pain through the power of God’s grace. As we take hold of the great truth that God loves us with a perfect and all-powerful love, we become purposeful and powerful men of God, able to change our world through the good of the Gospel. We are God’s people, and he is our Lord.
Questions for Reflection
How have you been able to break from the sins of the past and live as a new creation? Where are you still seeking freedom?
How are you bringing the love you have found in Christ to the lost of this world?
Praying with Scripture
“Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sins shall die.” (Ez 18:4)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
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Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
