The resolution to amend ourselves and our lives must include the rejection of all our sins. Chromatius, the proconsul of Rome during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian, fell grievously sick of a malady which was pronounced incurable. Hearing of the miracles which St. Sebastian worked in Rome at that time, he summoned the Saint to his presence. He promised that if Sebastian would cure him, he would become a Catholic.

St. Sebastian told the proconsul "You shall recover, but first you must destroy all of the idols in your house."

Chromatius promised to do this. However, a few days later he sent again for the Saint, and scolded him, saying "You promised that I would recover my health, yet I grow worse day by day."

St. Sebastian answered him "You have assuredly not destroyed every one of your false gods."

The unexpected answer stunned the sick man. Why would Sebastian say that? How did he know? There was one idol, Chromatius admitted, which he had kept. Only one. It was made of gold and he prized it greatly. St. Sebastian told him that if he desired to recover his health, he must part with that idol also, even if he valued it above all his other possessions. When Chromatius destroyed this last golden idol, he was healed of his incurable disease. Gratefully he embraced the True Faith, receiving with his son Tiburtius the Sacrament of Baptism.

As it was with Chromatius and his treasured idols, so it is the same with our sins. If we do not seriously resolve to relinquish our cherished sin then, sadly, it will be of little use to renounce all the others.