Third Sunday of Lent, December 15, 2013

Greetings!
It is hard to believe that we are merely two weeks away from Christmas.  Last weekend, we heard John the Baptist speak fiercely about the need for repentance and conversion of life.  On this, the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Jesus arrives on the scene to fulfill the words of the desert prophet.  All of John's teaching was oriented to preparing the way for Jesus.  It is important that we not become complacent in our preparation for the Lord's coming at Christmas.

One of the best ways that we can respond to John's preaching on the necessity of preparation and repentance during the Advent season is to make a good sacramental confession.  Confession of one's sins to a priest is a special encounter with the Lord that revives the soul.  Moreover, the sacrament of confession has a special place in the New Evangelization.  In the recent Synod for the New Evangelization in October of 2012, the bishops stated, "In this sacrament, all the baptized have a new and personal encounter with JEsus Christ, as well as a new encounter with the Church, facilitating a full reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins."  (Proposition, 33)

Pope Francis has shared some special remarks that really hit home on the sacrament of confession.  In his address to young people on the occasion of World Youth Day, he stated, "Put on Christ: he awaits you in the sacrament of Penance, to heal by his mercy the wounds caused by sin.  Do not be afraid to ask God's forgiveness!  He never tires of forgiving us, like the father who loves us.  God is pure mercy!"

Wow, God never tires of extending forgiveness!  This is not an invitation to be complacent or presumptuous about God's mercy.  He takes it very serious as he sent his Son to pay the debt of our sins.  His eagerness to so willingly forgive our sins is divine hospitality born of a Father's love.  I think that all of us would do well to make a sincere and well-prepared confession during this Advent season in order to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus.

This Monday, December 16th at 7PM, we will host our annual Advent Penance Service.   There will be eight priests available to extend God's mercy in the sacrament of confession.  I hope to see you there!

Ad majorem Dei gloriam,
Fr. John F. Jirak