My dear parishioners, we go to confession with sorrowful hearts for having offended God. We earnestly expect that having been washed clean of sin that heaven’s entrance remains open to us. Then we do our penance. By his own flesh and blood the Lord has remitted the faithful follower’s undeniable and spectacular debts owed to God and his heaven. A believer must lovingly thank Jesus for this.
Jesus “the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” [Jn 1:29] came that we “may have life and have it abundantly”. [Jn 10:10] The height, depth, length and breadth of “I AM” sustains us in forgiveness as God holds creation itself in being. No one may enter into God’s holiness to an abundant, eternal and perfect union with God but through him. [cf. Jn 14:6]
A penitent should do something more than say his penance for the good of his own and of the supernatural order. This is usually the case. As well, one should perform the spiritual and temporal works of mercy for the good of his own and the
temporal order and these as a
habit of life. [1]
As an offering to God, they repair the wounds sin inflicts on the Church, human society and the natural goodness. These works, proposed by the words and example of Jesus, effect the salvation and care of souls for whom the name and mission of Jesus is new, forgotten or diminished.
Therefore the Sacrament of Confession has been given to the Church by Christ as a remedy for sin. And the remedy is this: He who believes in Jesus’ name and confesses that he is Lord [cf. Rom 10:9] will be forgiven
for the asking. For the devil cannot flimflam the second Adam’s household as he did the first. [cf. Mt 24:43]
The religious and secular annals of world history and cultures will never reveal another like Jesus because
none other have or will exist. Apart from Jesus the Christ, all others are fallen mortal creatures, mere
thieves and robbers [cf. Jn 10:8] until they “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” [Phi 2:10-11] and are forgiven!
It is a mystery that while lightless Satan is permitted to pursue the soul of every human being with his venomous deceits, he enjoys no such power to draw near to glory, divine or conferred, or still less to take possession of this shining substance. Why? Because he absolutely is unable and unwilling to forgive or be forgiven. And the glory that belongs to Jesus? Because the son of the eternal father who is himself without sin forgives “seventy times seven” times! [cf. Mt 18:21-22]
Only one person yesterday, today or tomorrow is fully human and fully divine. One alone said ever “my kingship is not of this world” [Jn 18:36] and offered as the blood of a covenant “poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” [Mt 26:28]
his own. That person is Jesus. Therefore, to experience the Sacrament of Confession is to share the
cross of Christ!
“Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” [Phi 4:8]
Sincerely in the hearts of Jesus and Mary.
Your pastor,
Reverend Richard Barker.