Mar. 17 Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent; Opt. Mem. of St. Patrick, Bishop & Confessor (Solemnity: AUS, IRE; Feast: NZ, Scot., Wales), Opt. Mem.
The mercy of God is not an invitation to sin. He may forgive us and take away the punishment due to sin. But let us not take it as an encouragement to sin more freely. The warning which Christ has just given to the man cured of his long infirmity is also meant for us: "See, you are well again; now sin no more, for something worse may happen to you." Christ demands a permanent and sincere conversion after we have received his forgiveness. --St. Andrew Bible Missal
