Guilt, sad to say, makes the world go round. Guilt is possibly the principal motivating force behind our economic system. Guilt dictates how we spend our time and money. Guilt rules supreme in our society. Our guilt will crush us; we will collapse under its weight unless we turn to Jesus. The Lord wants to stomp on our guilt and drown it in the depths of the sea (Mi 7:19). Jesus shed His precious blood and died on the cross to wash us thoroughly of our guilt and cleanse us of our sins (Ps 51:4).

If we confess our sins to God and one another, we are forgiven, healed, and set free from guilt. Sometimes we go to Confession and still feel guilty, especially in the area of sexual sin. This may indicate that we are trying to take control of our lives. For example, children, simple folk, and the poor rarely have excessive guilt because they live in situations where they cannot control but must trust. Those who feel compelled to control, those who have to understand everything, those who have planned for their retirement and insured their insurance policies — these people are prime candidates for crushing guilt.

Give up guilt for Lent and for life. Give the Master charge of your life.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 2011

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