Advent Journey #2

Last week we were invited to contemplate Jesus as friend.  We discussed how we are "friend", and how one can be "friend" to a king, indeed, God.  This week we recognize our Lord as Divine Physician, that is, as one who comes to heal and "make whole", and holy.

This is, I firmly believe, one of the great difficulties with the Sacrament of Reconciliation in our lives.  Our view of God as “judge” meeting out our idea of “justice” makes Confession seem like a court proceeding rather than a time of reconciliation with God, the Church, and our brothers and sisters.

I do know that sometimes this is abetted by priest-confessors who themselves (myself!) do not take the time we should to emphasize the healing nature of this sacrament; sometimes even pursuing questions that seek to “examine the conscience” of the penitent, rather than drawing them more deeply into the ocean of our Lord’s mercy.

It is important that we recognize ourselves, more clearly, the healing nature of this sacrament so that we go into it ourselves with the idea of our Lord’s great love for us; a love that is so perfect, so unconditional, that it makes possible not only the forgiveness of even the most grievous sins, but also brings that healing which makes us whole, and wholly capable of both receiving and sharing real love.

This process can be helped when we respect the liturgical aspect of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The form of this sacrament is intended to help bring us face to face with this God, Who loves us so much.  When we respect that form, including the dialogue at the end, this aspect is able to be made present so much more fully. 

Our Lord desires to be not only a friend, but that Divine Physician Who brings healing and wholeness to us through His Divine Mercy.  May we contemplate this aspect of our relationship with Jesus Christ.  Especially as we meditate (lectio divina) on those accounts from the Gospels of His healing of body and spirit.