We are called to be strong in our weakness and to flee from sin without nostalgia.

The Christian is called to be courageous in our own weakness. Many times we must admit that we are weak, and therefore we must flee without nostalgia for sin, without looking back. There are four possible attitudes in conflictual, difficult situations. The first is the approach of “hesitation” of Lot. He was determined to leave the city before it was destroyed, but he did so hesitantly, slowly. The angel tells him to flee, but there is in him the inability to detach himself from evil and sin. We too want to go, we are determined, but there is something that pulls us back. Like Lot, who begins to negotiate with the angel.

It is difficult to distance ourselves from a sinful situation. It is difficult! Even in temptation it is equally difficult! But the voice of God tells us: flee! Here you cannot struggle, because fire and brimstone will kill you. Escape! St. Therese of the Child Jesus teaches us that sometimes in some temptations the only solution is to flee and we should not be ashamed to flee; to recognize that we are weak and must flee. Our people, in their simple wisdom, say somewhat ironically: A soldier who flees from a battle does not escape another. Flee so that you may advance on the path of Jesus Christ.

The angel then tells Lot to “not look back”, to flee and look forward. This is advice on how to overcome the nostalgia of sin. Let us think of the people of God in the desert. They had everything, the promise, everything. Yet they “longed for the onions in Egypt”, and because of this nostalgia they “forgot that they had eaten onions from the table of slavery”. They had a nostalgic “desire to return, to return”. And the angel’s advice is wise: Don’t look back! Just go. We cannot act like Lot’s wife, we must get rid of all nostalgia, because there is also the temptation of curiosity.

Fleeing from sin without nostalgia. Curiosity does not help, it harms! But how can it be done in this sinful world? But what will happen with this sin? I would like to know… No, no! Curiosity will harm you! Run away and do not look back! We are weak, all of us, and we must defend ourselves. The third situation is on a ship: it is fear. When the sea became rough, the ship was covered with waves. ‘Save us, Lord, we are lost!’ – they say. Fear! This is also a temptation of the devil: to be afraid to move forward on the Lord’s path.

There is a temptation that says that it is “better to stay here”, where I have security. “But this is the Egypt of slavery! I am afraid to step forward. I am afraid of where the Lord will lead me. But fear is “not a good counselor”. Jesus said so many times: ‘Do not be afraid.’ Fear will not help us. The fourth attitude is the grace of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus calmed the stormy sea, the disciples in the boat were overcome by fear. We must be strong in our weakness and flee from sin without nostalgia.

The Christian is called to be courageous in our own weakness. Many times we must recognize that we are weak, and therefore we must flee without nostalgia for sin, without looking back. There are four possible attitudes in conflicting, difficult situations. The first is the attitude of “hesitation” of Lot. He was determined to leave the city before it was destroyed, but he did so hesitantly, slowly. The angel tells him to flee, but he is unable to detach himself from evil and sin. We too want to go, we are determined, but there is something that pulls us back. Just like Lot, who begins to negotiate with the angel.

It is difficult to distance ourselves from a sinful situation. It is difficult! In temptation it is equally difficult! But the voice of God tells us: escape! Here you cannot struggle, because the fire and the brimstone will kill you. Escape! St. Therese of the Child Jesus teaches us that sometimes in some temptations the only solution is to flee and we should not be ashamed to flee; to recognize that we are weak and must flee. Our people, in their simple wisdom, say somewhat ironically: A soldier who flees from a battle does not escape another. Flee so that you may advance on the path of Jesus Christ.

The angel then tells Lot to “not look back”, to flee and look ahead. This is advice on how to overcome the nostalgia of sin. Let us think of the people of God in the desert. They had everything, the promise, everything. Yet “they longed for the onions in Egypt”, and because of this nostalgia “they forgot that they ate onions from the table of slavery”. They had a nostalgic “desire to return, to return”. And the angel’s advice is wise: Don’t look back! Just go. We cannot act like Lot’s wife, we must get rid of all nostalgia, because there is also the temptation of curiosity.

Fleeing from sin without nostalgia. Curiosity does not help, it harms! But how can it be done in this sinful world? But what will happen with this sin? I would like to know… No, no! Curiosity will harm you! Run away and don’t look back! We are weak, all of us, and we must defend ourselves. The third situation is on the ship: it is fear. When the sea became rough, the ship was covered with waves. ‘Save us, Lord, we are lost!’ – they say. Fear! This is also the temptation of the devil: to be afraid to move forward on the Lord’s path.

There is a temptation that says, “It is better to stay here,” where I have security. “But this is the Egypt of slavery! I am afraid to step forward. I am afraid of where the Lord will lead me. But fear is “not a good counselor.” Jesus said so many times, “Do not be afraid.” Fear will not help us. The fourth attitude is the grace of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus calmed the stormy sea, the disciples in the boat were overcome by the spirit. We must be strong in weakness and flee from sin without nostalgia.