the sacrament of reconciliation
"John left them." —Acts 13:13
John Mark quit the Church's first missionary journey. When John Mark decided to come back for the second missionary journey, "Paul insisted that, as he had deserted them at Pamphylia, refusing to join them on that mission, he was not fit to be taken along now" (Acts 15:38). Paul was later reconciled with John Mark (see 2 Tm 4:11). John Mark was used by the Lord to compile one of the Gospels, while Paul wrote several books of the New Testament. Without the reconciliation between John Mark and Paul, we would possibly be missing much of the New Testament.
Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him with a kiss (see Jn 13:18; Mt 26:49-50). Jesus tried to reconcile with Judas. He called Judas His "friend" (Mt 26:50), gave him Holy Communion (Jn 13:26), and washed his feet. Nevertheless, Judas refused to be reconciled. He sold Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, handed Him over to those who would have Him crucified, and then committed suicide (Mt 27:5).
If we seek and accept reconciliation, we will be great in God's kingdom. If we persist in refusing reconciliation, we are doomed. "We implore you, in Christ's name: be reconciled to God!" (2 Cor 5:20)
Prayer: Father, may my monthly celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation help make reconciliation a way of life for me. May I decide to accept Your grace to forgive all for hurts done to me.
Promise: "I solemnly assure you, he who accepts anyone I send accepts Me, and in accepting Me accepts Him Who sent Me." —Jn 13:20
Praise: St. Catherine wrote: "Eternal Trinity, Godhead, Mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the Gift of Yourself."
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Reconciliation on audio AV 1A-1 or video V-1A.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 9, 2009
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