Reconciliation
The parish will soon begin preparing children to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. It is a good opportunity to look at how this sacrament is lived out in your own life. Too often, a child’s first Reconciliation is their last celebration of this sacrament or at least for a long time. It is difficult articulating our sins and faults to another person, but it can be healing. That is the purpose of this sacrament, to experience the Lord’s forgiveness and healing of our sins. The Gospels show us how extravagant the Lord was in forgiving sin and showing mercy. He continues to be so today. As the pray of absolution states, the purpose of this sacrament is to “bring pardon and peace.”
I am glad to see a good number of parishioners do make Individual Reconciliation a regular part of their spiritual journey. I am never lonely during the Saturday afternoon confession period. If it has been a while since you prayed this sacrament, I invite you to consider experience the Lord’s love and forgiveness through this ritual prayer so that you too may hear those powerful word: “Go in peace, your sins are forgiven.”