During Lent, we are called to focus on Jesus’ mercy and forgiveness. Jesus is always ready and waiting to deliver us from evil. There is no sin that is too big for Him to forgive. He wants to have an intimate relationship with us and any sin is an obstacle to that relationship. Our soul is like our window to God. When we sin, it’s like taking mud and covering that window. Serious, or mortal, sins cover up the entire window, blocking our relationship to God. Less serious, or venial, sins only cover part of the window but can build up over time. Jesus can wipe that all away if we ask Him to. He promises to cast our sins as far as the east is from the west.
To start off your retreat today, watch this video depiction about how sin can get in our way of walking with Jesus.
As Catholics, we have the special gift of a Sacrament given by Jesus to His apostles, and passed along to us through the successors of the apostles – the bishops and priests. When we confession our sins, do penance, and receive absolution in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, it is like Jesus taking a big bottle of Windex and wiping our “window to God” (our soul) perfectly clean. Our sins are not only forgiven but also forgotten. We are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation after any serious (mortal) sin and at least once a year. Lots of us struggle with the idea of confessing our sins to a priest. Listen to this mp3 from YoungCatholicMinute.com about why we go to Confession.
And then, just for some cheesy fun, check out this ShamWOW commercial parody on Confession called SoulWOW.
Finally, spend a few minutes talking to God about the things in your life that have become obstacles to your relationship with Him. When you're ready, listen to this song by Casting Crowns, paying attention to the lyrics and watching the pictures that go along with the words.
Discuss:
What sins did you see depicted in the first video? Do you believe there are any sins that Jesus just cannot forgive? How do you feel about the Church’s practice of the Sacrament of Reconciliation? When was the last time you went and how did you feel beforehand? How did you feel afterwards? What questions do you have about sin or the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
Post your answers in the Comments box below.
Challenge: Before going to sleep tonight, pray an Examination of Conscience. An Examination of Conscience is when you go through your day in your head and ask God to show you what you did well during the day and what you could have done better. For a list of questions to ask yourself, check out this Examination of Conscience online. Plan a time between now and Easter that you will commit to going to Confession and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Available anytime by appointment or...
Individual Reconciliation on Saturdays:
9am @ St. Joseph, 11am @ St. William, 4pm @ St. Mary or St. John Neumann
Lenten Reconciliation Services:
Monday, March 15, 7pm @ St. Dominic in Brookfield with the new Archbishop,
Saturday, March 13, 9:30am @ St. John Neumann,
or Thursday, March 25, 7pm @ St. Joseph
If you’d like, post your commitment into the Comments below and encourage others to go with you. After your confession, as you receive the prayer of absolution from the priest, remember – He has cast your sins as far as the east is from the west!
See you tomorrow!
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