Homily: October 21, 2025, Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time (Sin-Grace)

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 “Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.”

Really? Yes, absolutely true. There is no doubt that sin is increasing in the world, at least in terms of modern technology. I make this observation based on what priests hear in the confessional.

One hundred years ago, people did not confess sins related to television. Thirty years ago, there were no sins involving the internet. Twenty years ago, we didn’t have sins connected to smartphones. Ten years ago, we didn’t have sins committed due to social media. And just a few years ago, no one mentioned sins related to artificial intelligence.

From time to time, I have encountered and had to ask the penitents to explain certain words they used in confession and which did not even exist a decade ago! They were new to me, but I am sure Jesus was not stumped like me.

Sins come in new forms, but the reality of sin remains the same.

Yet, St. Paul reminds us that as sin increases, grace overflows even more. Along with these new challenges, God gives us countless new opportunities to receive His grace. Look around the churches in Des Moines, there are so many options for us to choose, various timings and locations for confession, adoration, and holy hours, to cater to the needs of the peoples.

Pilgrimages, retreats, podcasts, online reflections… there are hundreds of digital platforms now available to help people encounter Scripture, learn the faith, and deepen their relationship with Christ.

Recently, some of our youth asked if they could start a St. Ambrose TikTok account. My first reaction was “no,” since I don’t even have a TikTok account myself. But when they explained that they wanted to evangelize and share the Gospel there, I agreed. And I thought how wonderful that even a platform the devil often uses to tempt people can become a space for grace.

God’s grace is everywhere. It overflows even in the places where certain persistent sin is prevalent. If we open our eyes and hearts, we will see His presence working powerfully through every new means of communication, and every social media platform.

Let us use all these tools, all these opportunities, to draw closer to God. Let us fill the digital world with grace, kindness, and truth. And when we stay close to Christ, His grace will overflow in our lives conquering every sin with His mercy and love.

Amen.


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