Reconciliation

For one reason or another many Catholics have become indifferent to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. “Nothing is a sin anymore!” has become the worried comment of many Catholics. The Church seems to have become very lenient—or at least many Catholics have decided to be rather lenient with themselves.

All through history this has been the sin, in all its forms: exclusion of God, the rupturing of relationship with God. It started in the Garden of Eden where two human beings set themselves up as being somewhat self-sufficient, as powerful as God. Evil today is rampant in the world: the trampling of the rights of the human person, the attack on freedom, racial discrimination, violence, torture, terrorism…so many divisions in a shattered world – between individuals and groups, nations etc. The root of all these things lies in our innermost self…in the light of our faith we call it sin.

As Catholic Christians, from time to time we need to review spiritually the sense of sin in our own lives. Engaging in the Sacrament of Reconciliation invites us to look at our behaviors honestly and humbly. Looking at the spirit of our behavior permits us to get away from the usual “grocery lists” of sins. Rather in this “exam” we let our guard down and look at our life patterns and examine them with regards to our relationship with God. Where am I in this relationship? Have I allowed certain sins to strain my relationship? Have I made poor choices in life that have hurt others? Am I able to see things from the viewpoint of others that I may have hurt? What am I feeling about my behavior? This exercise usually creates a space for a sense of sorrow or regret for violating certain values and standards that are crucial to living one’s life in conformity to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is an invitation to place ourselves in God’s gentle presence and the overwhelming truth about this sacrament is that God wants to heal us more than we want to be healed. Our God is warm and loving. Nothing gives Jesus greater joy than forgiving us our sins. Our proof is in the Incarnation when Jesus became God/man….our savior. When we encounter Jesus in this sacrament, his voice becomes audible speaking to us individually about our sinfulness. It is the sign which human beings desperately need. Confessing involves saying the three most difficult words in the human language: I was wrong. It is in this external action that makes the interior act fully human. Once said these words become lost in the mercy of God. True confession means an end of guilt and guilty feelings.

The priest in his role as confessor in the Sacrament of Reconciliation can help because he understands that we sometimes need a voice other than our own to assure us that we are forgiven, that all is well and that we do not need to be haunted by past mistakes. Jesus desires to heal our broken parts so that we can be made whole and confident. He offers assurance of acceptance through the words and absolution of the priest who, like us, is also aware of his need for forgiveness. Jesus taught that “the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). It is the freedom from self-centeredness and selfishness that is given to us when examining our conscience, expressing genuine regret and seeking forgiveness for whatever that hinders our relationship with God. A firm purpose of changing those patterns in our life that are not God centered and completing the assigned penance concludes the reception of the sacrament. Through this sacrament, God seeks to remove our fears and guide us into future confidence that we are loved by a God that desires so much for us.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation offers us a wonderful sense of peace. This sense of peace unites us with God and touches deeper yearnings in our hearts that no other kind of peace can ever do. As we enter the season of Advent, why not come home for Christmas by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Let’s pray that every member of our Church will strive to be reconciled with God this Advent. Can you imagine the impact that such a Church could have on all the problems, divisions and sufferings in the world?

The individual celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated every Saturday from 3:45PM-4:15PM.

In the seasons of Advent and Lent, communal penance services are scheduled. The opportunity for individual confession is a part of these services. Dates and times will be posted on the web site as well as the Parish bulletin. Please check the Parish Calendar for specific times.

Anyone wishing to celebrate this sacrament at some other time can call the Rectory at 617-698-2439 and speak with one of the priests to schedule an appointment to celebrate this sacrament.