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Fr. Maina’s MuseIf one were to summarize the entire scripture in a sentence, one would probably exclaim that Divine mercy and conversion from sin are the constant theme in the entire bible. Time and time again, in the Old Testament, the sins of the people are constantly met with God’s outreach of Mercy. For us too, the Divine Mercy is constantly poured out to us through the sacramental grace of Reconciliation also known as Confession. On March 29, we invite all who would like to come to reconciliation at 7:30pm. Through the gifts of the Church, we are able to experience the love of God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I would like to encourage all to take advantage of this occasion of reconciliation. We will invite several priests that will assist us with the service.I know that people often question whether they really need to go to confession. And, whether it is necessary to go to a priest or through the Church for reconciliation. We all know that only God can forgive sins. However, Jesus willed that the Church should be his instrument for forgiveness on earth.By the sacrament of Holy Orders, bishops and priests carry on the ministry of forgiveness, acting in the person of Christ who is the head of the Church. This sacrament is necessary when we commit mortal sin so as to be reconciled to God and to the Church. We know that sin harms our relationship with God and one another. The conversion of heart, the willingness to come back to God is the beginning step of amending that relationship. Therefore, the Sacrament of Penance (reconciliation or confession) must always be seen in the context of conversion from sin and turning to God. God is always patient and willing to give us yet one more chance to turn back to Him. In today’s readings, the Gospel demonstrates the patience of God and at the same time warns us of the unwillingness to repent of our sins. In order to be forgiven, we need to have and demonstrate sorrow for our sins. This means turning away from sin and everything that divides us. It includes the determination to avoid such sins in the future. In essence, in the context of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, this is what we refer to as the Act of Contrition. It is the act of contrition that guides us through the entire process of reconciliation and conversion. With a contrite heart, we name our sins before the priest who represents Christ. In confessing our sins, we name all our mortal sins in kind and number. What follows after the naming of sin is an attempt to amend our life with God. The priest gives us some encouragement for our moral and spiritual growth. The priest then gives the Absolution in the name of Christ and the Church. The practice of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is beneficial to us because first and foremost it helps us form a proper conscience. When we frequent the sacrament, we are sensitive to God’s commandments and at the same time we are more aware of our relationship with God. At the same time, we are more conscious of our sinful acts as they affect others. Sin is never a private act. When we sin, we always affect special relationships and most especially it affects who we are as members of the Church. Therefore when we frequent confession, we demonstrate the care and love for those who might have been affected by our acts. As we listen to today’s readings, and as we continue with our observance of lent, let us reflect more on the nature of the Sacrament of Confession. This sacrament is meant for us so that we can be closer to God and to one another. Let us take advantage of the availability of confession every Saturday from 4:00 – 4:45pm and every Wednesday from 10:00am to 12:00pm, but most especially at our Communal Reconciliation on Monday, March 29 at 7:30pm. May God bless you and your family. Fr. Maina With you a Christian, for you a priest. |
