1st Sunday of Lent

     I generally speak on “Confession”, the Sacrament of Reconciliation on the 3^rd Sunday of Lent.  However, as I’ve been watching and thinking it would seem good this year to switch that up a bit.  All too often we see Confession as something to be checked off on our list of things to do during Lent.  But, just as I pointed out the Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving are not disciplines of Lent but disciplines of the Christian life, so I would like us to recognize that Confession is a sacrament that should be attended to throughout the year – not just at Advent and Lent.

     What a wonderful thing it would be if we could recognize more clearly the great gift that this Sacrament of Reconciliation is to us.  There are so many books, CD’s, pamphlets, etc. written about this sacrament and yet there is only a slight up-tick in most of Christ’s faithful’s use of it.  How can this be?

     I think that there are three particular issues at play: The first is that too many are still “afraid” of the sacrament; the second is that we don’t really understand sin and its nature; and third, there are still far too many who are taking God’s love for granted – the sin of presumption.

     It would seem good that we spend this Lenten season examining these questions / issues so that our appreciation for this wonderful gift of grace be better received by all.  In this way we can then expect to see real change in ourselves, our families, and our community.

     Please give careful consideration of the sermons over these next several weeks and of the articles in this space as well as our inside adult catechesis / formation space.  Bring it to prayer.  Ask God what He is asking of you.  And then – Do It!

One of the real, yet hidden, points of convergence in the teaching ministry (magisterium) of Pope St. John Paul the Great and our current Holy Father, Pope Francis is their insistence on the importance of Confession – the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  For the next few weeks I am going to set aside our discussion of Christifideles Laici and focus on this sacrament that both these Holy Father’s have commended to us so consistently and so insistently.

When, you may ask, has Pope Francis ever insisted on the necessity of Confession?  We are so used to hearing about his concern for the environment and for immigrants.  This may say more about where we get our news on the Church than about what our Holy Father is saying.  He has, in fact, been more insistent on the necessity of this sacrament than any pope in recent times.  He’s constantly reminding us to Go to Confession!

As we begin our consideration of this sacrament it is important for us first to recognize and bring to prayer where we are in its regard.  And so…

   1.  What do I understand the sacrament to be? (you might check out paragraphs 1422-1498 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church)

   2.  What makes me fear celebrating this sacrament, or, why do I not recognize the power of this sacrament?

   3.  Deep down – Do I really take my relationship with God seriously enough to desire His forgiveness and the healing He offers through this sacrament?

Challenge:  Instead of making Confession something to be checked off on your list of Lenten things to do, BEGIN your Lenten observance with a good confession; and then make a point of going at least once more before Easter.