the last shall be first
“Anyone who sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, should petition God, and thus life will be given to the sinner.” —1 John 5:16
Many have not had Christmas because they have not repented of sin in their lives. We should petition the Lord for sinners and life will be given to them (1 Jn 5:16). Through the Lord’s forgiveness, they will be given Christmas just before the season ends. The devil thought he had robbed them of Christmas. However, by prayer, we rob the robber and give many people another opportunity for Christmas.
On this third last day of the Christmas season, go to Confession and invite others to join you. For so many, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the key to Christmas. Many people are spiritually still in Advent. They need to obey St. John the Baptizer’s call to repent (Lk 3:3). We are called to be ministers of reconciliation, to encourage others to get the specks out of their eyes, after we have removed the planks from ours (Mt 7:5). The Lord has “entrusted the message of reconciliation to us. This makes us ambassadors for Christ, God as it were appealing through us. We implore you, in Christ’s name: be reconciled to God” (2 Cor 5:19-20).
Two days from now, on the last day of the Christmas season, let’s help others have their first day of Christmas by going down together into the waters of the Jordan and repenting of our sins.
Prayer: Father, give us a full Christmas even if we start Christmas on the last days of the season (Mt 20:14).
Promise: “The Lord loves His people, and He adorns the lowly with victory.” —Ps 149:4
Praise: St. Raymond of Peñafort lived almost 100 years. His eventful life included studies in both civil and canon law, plus two years leading the Dominican Order. He was the pope’s confessor and promoted the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Reference:
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 1, 2022, through January 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 12, 2022
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.