Daily Retreat 09/16/07
2007 Sep 16 SUN: TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Ex 32: 7-11. 13-14/ Ps 59(51): 3-4. 12-13. 17. 19/ 1 Tm 1: 12-17/ Lk 15: 1-32
From today’s readings: “Go down at once to your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved.... Have mercy on me, O God, in Your goodness; in the greatness of Your compassion wipe out my offense.... Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.... Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you....”
Great Rejoicing in Heaven!
When was the last time you were the cause of great rejoicing in Heaven? Now, by definition, there is always joy in Heaven, the state of eternal bliss where the angels and saints behold the glory of the Triune God. So, what can you or I possibly do that would be the cause of more joy in heaven?
Why would any shepherd spend so much effort chasing after one lost sheep? Doesn't he have better things to do? In answer, St. Paul explains that chasing lost sheep was Christ's chief concern. In his letter to Timothy, St. Paul declared very solemnly: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!" WHY DID JESUS COME? To save sinners! And since Jesus founded His Church precisely to carry on His saving mission, that means the Church is also in the world in order to save sinners! So to those of us who are sinners, the Church proclaims this Good News: the Good Shepherd is searching for you and me. Our Good Shepherd wants to lead us in jubilation to His own home!
You and I have heard the Good Shepherd calling our names - how do we now answer Him, where do you and I go to meet Him? Dear friends, the answer is no secret! The most privileged place of receiving God's mercy, the place where the Good Shepherd looks every day to find lost sheep, the place which echos continuously with the mirth of angels rejoicing in heaven - that place is the confessional!
Confessing one's sins out loud is never easy. Owning up to faults, to mistakes, to failures - accepting personal responsibility for them - it's never easy! Admitting that, even if I'm basically a good person, I'm still not perfect, I need help to do better - that's not easy! No, it's never easy, and that's why when you and I turn to the Lord in the Sacrament of Penance, we are performing not just an act of humility, but also an act of bravery, and act of maturity, a sign of our love, as we gratefully acknowledge our continuous dependence on the love and mercy of our Savior.
Anyone who might think he doesn't need this sacrament already has a grave sin to confess. In fact, down through the ages, all the saints have constantly witnessed to the need of regularly confessing one's sins. You might be interested to know that the Pope goes to confession more than once a week! Also, let me mention what I learned when I was privileged to serve as chaplain at a house of the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Mother Theresa. Those sisters, who spend their lives serving the poorest of the poor, were some of the holiest people I was ever blessed to meet in this life, and every single one of them was committed to frequent sincere confessions. Last and certainly least, I too go to confession regularly, and I'm sorely aware of how much I need it!
According to the precepts of the Church, every single one of us has the responsibility of confessing our sins at least once a year. This is the indispensable minimum, just like every human being requires an indispensable minimum of water every three days! But for a healthier spiritual life, more regular confession is needed - a good rule of thumb is to strive to receive this sacrament once a month.
My friends, how long will it be until YOU are the cause of great rejoicing in Heaven?
Ex 32: 7-11. 13-14/ Ps 59(51): 3-4. 12-13. 17. 19/ 1 Tm 1: 12-17/ Lk 15: 1-32
From today’s readings: “Go down at once to your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved.... Have mercy on me, O God, in Your goodness; in the greatness of Your compassion wipe out my offense.... Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.... Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you....”
Great Rejoicing in Heaven!
When was the last time you were the cause of great rejoicing in Heaven? Now, by definition, there is always joy in Heaven, the state of eternal bliss where the angels and saints behold the glory of the Triune God. So, what can you or I possibly do that would be the cause of more joy in heaven?
"I tell you, there will be more joy in Heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent." (Luke 15:7).Jesus directed His answer to the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees, but the parable was also intended to speak to your heart and my heart.
Why would any shepherd spend so much effort chasing after one lost sheep? Doesn't he have better things to do? In answer, St. Paul explains that chasing lost sheep was Christ's chief concern. In his letter to Timothy, St. Paul declared very solemnly: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!" WHY DID JESUS COME? To save sinners! And since Jesus founded His Church precisely to carry on His saving mission, that means the Church is also in the world in order to save sinners! So to those of us who are sinners, the Church proclaims this Good News: the Good Shepherd is searching for you and me. Our Good Shepherd wants to lead us in jubilation to His own home!
You and I have heard the Good Shepherd calling our names - how do we now answer Him, where do you and I go to meet Him? Dear friends, the answer is no secret! The most privileged place of receiving God's mercy, the place where the Good Shepherd looks every day to find lost sheep, the place which echos continuously with the mirth of angels rejoicing in heaven - that place is the confessional!
Confessing one's sins out loud is never easy. Owning up to faults, to mistakes, to failures - accepting personal responsibility for them - it's never easy! Admitting that, even if I'm basically a good person, I'm still not perfect, I need help to do better - that's not easy! No, it's never easy, and that's why when you and I turn to the Lord in the Sacrament of Penance, we are performing not just an act of humility, but also an act of bravery, and act of maturity, a sign of our love, as we gratefully acknowledge our continuous dependence on the love and mercy of our Savior.
Anyone who might think he doesn't need this sacrament already has a grave sin to confess. In fact, down through the ages, all the saints have constantly witnessed to the need of regularly confessing one's sins. You might be interested to know that the Pope goes to confession more than once a week! Also, let me mention what I learned when I was privileged to serve as chaplain at a house of the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Mother Theresa. Those sisters, who spend their lives serving the poorest of the poor, were some of the holiest people I was ever blessed to meet in this life, and every single one of them was committed to frequent sincere confessions. Last and certainly least, I too go to confession regularly, and I'm sorely aware of how much I need it!
According to the precepts of the Church, every single one of us has the responsibility of confessing our sins at least once a year. This is the indispensable minimum, just like every human being requires an indispensable minimum of water every three days! But for a healthier spiritual life, more regular confession is needed - a good rule of thumb is to strive to receive this sacrament once a month.
My friends, how long will it be until YOU are the cause of great rejoicing in Heaven?
posted by FrPitstick | 9/14/2007
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