Today’s gospel asks: “Who then can be saved?” The answer is found in the first reading, words from the Book of Sirach, a passage that speaks to both the reality of human sin and the infinite mercy of God. Sirach 17:20-24 reminds us that though we may fall into sin, the Lord ever and always calls us back to Himself with love, urging us to repent and turn to Him with all our hearts.

The passage begins by acknowledging the weakness of human nature. “Their iniquities are not hidden from Him, and all their sins are before the Lord.” God sees everything—our struggles, our failures, our sins—but He does not look upon us with condemnation. Instead, He calls us to conversion: “To the penitent He provides a way back, and He encourages those who are losing hope!“