Today’s readings distinguish real repentance from religious self-deception. Cyprian continues On the Lapsed by warning that repentance must not be merely claimed, but shown through grief, humility, confession, and a willingness to receive the medicine of correction. Augustine then turns from mourning Monica to praying for her, refusing to rest even in her holy life as though anyone could stand before God apart from mercy. Aquinas closes by examining presumption as a sin against hope, not because it trusts God’s mercy too much, but because it expects forgiveness without repentance and the end without the means God has appointed. Together, these readings remind us that true hope neither despairs of mercy nor presumes upon it, but returns to God with honest sorrow and confidence in His grace.

Today’s Readings:

Cyprian — On t ...