Posted by The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr Bernard Collera SVD – Catholic Trade Manila
Friday 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
We were taught in childhood catechism the laws of God, the Church, the dos and don’ts in life. We tried our best, succeeded every now and then. But also saw how we utterly failed, repeating even the same sin after confessing them. How dare we then correct others when we haven’t mastered ourselves?
Adult catechism states that the Christian is distinguished from others when he/she shall have learned how to acknowledge his/her own sins, looking at others who do the same sins as one does not with disdain but with understanding and compassion. Similarly, St. Paul in the first reading today mentions that he “was once a blasphemer and persecutor and an arrogant man…(acting) out of ignorance in my unbelief.”
Imagine having these negative qualities openly written so that even we, and after us, as before us may know how he has been treated mercifully. The trouble with the way the Pharisees corrected others came as it involved rejecting the sinner rather than really helping the other make a change for the better. It is no wonder then that Jesus said “I came so that they may have life and have it to the full” (Jn 10,10).
If ever Jesus showed us our sins and our being sinners, it was to invite us to take the journey of conversion. Thus, everyone is our companion on the way to him, and what we celebrate is his mercy, his love, his forgiveness. When we must correct others then, we need to remember the mercy of God very evident in Christ.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, which we knew early in childhood catechism as the Sacrament of Confession thus becomes occasions whereby we acknowledge our sinfulness and receive God’s mercy. If the Catholic Church must then announce it, inspite of its sins, inviting every faithful to come and be reconciled to God, it is first and foremost an announcement of God’s mercy which He extends through the Christ in the priestly ministry.
Whatever we mention in the sacrament is sealed, but what we share outside is God’s mercy, forgiveness, and love. In this way we live out what Christ Himself came and gave His life for. From this perspective alone may we denounce sin, and learn to uplift the sinner who is before God someone beloved.
One comment