party-pooper
"Rejoice with me." —Luke 15:6, 9
The Father, Son, Spirit, angels, and saints of heaven are constantly rejoicing "over one repentant sinner" (Lk 15:7). The Heavenly Father is throwing a great party on the occasion of our repentance and forgiveness. But we, like the older brother of the prodigal son, often don't come to the party (Lk 15:28). Some of us are jealous and unforgiving of the forgiven. Others just aren't that thrilled about sinners repenting, but we're excited about money, football, or a new car.
Have we ever felt the need to throw a repentance party? How many of us rejoice with heaven through regular monthly Confession? Do we feel excitement and joy every time someone goes into the confessional? Let's be ambassadors of Christ and ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18, 20). Let's go to Confession and invite others to do the same. Throw a Confession party. Invite a few friends to Confession. Pray and praise together. Go to Confession individually. Thank the Lord; then celebrate (Lk 15:32).
Prayer: Father, forgive me for turning down your invitation to the party. May I repent, confess, and celebrate Your loving forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Promise: "But you, how can you sit in judgment on your brother? Or you, how can you look down on your brother? We shall have to appear before the judgment seat of God." —Rm 14:10
Praise: St. Martin rejoiced in doing the simplest tasks, such as manual labor, scrubbing and cleaning, because he did it for his Beloved.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Secret of Confession on audio AV 44-3 or video V-44.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 21, 2005
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