206. All is Forgiven

There is a wonderful 11-minute video, that spells out what forgiveness is all about. "This is the story of David, a young teenage runaway whose experiences of pain and brokenness make him long for the lights of home. Simple, moving, eloquent, Pardon And Peace echoes human stories of separation and reconciliation as old as the Prodigal Son, and as contemporary as today's headlines. This video, by the way, is ideal for use with intermediate through adult audiences, in religious education, retreat settings, and parish celebrations of Reconciliation." (Contact: Franciscan Communications/St. Anthony Messenger Press, Cincinnati, Ohio).

The story is about David, who gets into a serious argument with his father. Neither can forgive the other. Dad gives David the ultimatum, either conform or find another place to live. David leaves home, roams around the country by hitch-hiking rides from state to state. And after months, he sends a note to his mother, saying he thought about it and is sorry he didn't listen to his Dad. He's asking if he could come home if all is forgiven, and to just burn a light in the window, if he is again welcome. In short, when he comes home, not only is there a light in the window, but there is a light in every window of the house...

Jesus Christ said to his Disciples,  "Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." (cf. John 20:22). Priests in the Confessional, represent Christ. Confession has a bad name with some old-time Catholics who were scolded by priests who behaved, perhaps, very un-Christian. Please do not hold the Roman Catholic Church and your Faith ransom because you are unable to forgive that priest for 20 or 30 years. I've met so many people who do just that. They have this problem with the Church, a problem that has festered for too many years, a problem that was at one time just a small difference of opinion, but which has bloomed into a major battle of the soul. Please, stop torturing yourself. Visit another parish, to avoid the priest who you think first caused your injury. Come to Reconciliation penitent and with humility, and repeat the confession for which you never received absolution, mention to the priest that you've harbored great resentment because of the former incident, but that you now realize that you are sorry for your sins. The priest will welcome you back with open arms, and give you absolution. The Lord will forgive you, and all is well again. I can assure you that you will be forgiven. There is NO SIN which is so great that it cannot be forgiven. That's how much Our Lord loves us. Just remember the words of this lovely hymn, "Hosea".

"Come back to me with all your heart, Don't let fear keep us apart
Trees do bend though straight and tall
So must we to others' call
Long have I waited for your coming home to me
And living deeply our new life..."

- Hosea, Gregory Norbet, OSB

That's what Jesus says to us: "Long have I waited for your coming home to Me..."

When God forgives, all is forgiven. Nothing is retained, provided the penitent makes a firm amendment to do better in the future. Hopefully, all who needed to be relieved of tensions and mistakes were able to participate in the Reconciliation services before Easter, but if not, Confessions are heard frequently at all Churches, and one can always visit the priest in the Rectory.

One of the most important activities for a Catholic is prayer. Without prayer there can be no spiritual life. We worship and praise God through our personal prayer. Keep close to Jesus, and keep talking to Him.

Don't let fear and ignorance keep us apart from Our Lord Jesus Christ!
 

May the Lord bless you and keep you well!

Fred Schaeffer, sfo
5/01/06

bro. Fred's Reflections Index