It’s amazing how much pride can make us blind, deaf, and paralyzed. Causes us to sin gravely, die spiritually, and we become like one of the carcasses in the valley of dry bones (Ez 37). However, there is Good News: God is merciful and He loves us, He forgives us, and through the Sacrament of Confession, we are resurrected and brought back to life. He makes all things new. Praise God!
Tag: confession
State of Grace
Yesterday I had the privilege to witness Jak Jak and his classmates receive the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist for their first time. It was so beautiful to see little children so excited to receive Jesus. The young boys were dressed up in suits (Jak in a barong), and the little girls dressed in small wedding gowns. Witnessing this answered a question I’ve been battling with for quite some time: “what is the proper disposition when receiving the Holy Eucharist?”
Ever since I learned there was a difference in the gravity of sin (venial, being the lighter sins and mortal being very grave, causing spiritual death), I’ve always found it hard to discern if I’m in the right state to receive our Lord. After confessing my sins to a priest one time, I mentioned to him how horrible and sorrowful I felt about the mortal sin I committed. He then asked “did you do it our of weakness or spite for God?” I told him that it was definitely out of weakness. He then assured me that since it was out of weakness and I tried my best to avoid the sin and that I was sorrowful and contrite for having offended God, he said that it was venial and not mortal. I thought that this would provide clarity to my understanding but actually I realize now that I haven’t stopped questioning my disposition. However, yesterday cleared it all up for me leaving no room for doubt.
Yesterday taught me very clearly that I must be as pure as a child receiving his/her first communion when I discern if I’m in the right disposition to receive it myself. In my discernment, if I feel that I’m not as pure as a child such as Jak Jak and his classmates, then I am not in the right state of heart to receive our Lord. Moments before receiving Jesus Christ, I shouldn’t be battling with my conscience. If I’m in the proper state, then I should be as excited as a child receiving the Eucharist for the first time. The children yesterday were not hampered with their conscience, but were simply ready and excited to receive our Lord. Naturally, my next question was “how do I become as pure as a child receiving our Lord for the first time?” The Holy Spirit immediately reminded me of Reconciliation.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation makes us pure as babies and white as snow. Given, of course, that we have a good confession, that we confess ALL sins and we are truly sorry and plan to change our ways because of His Love. Basically, to make a good confession and “repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15). After receiving absolution, we are truly as innocent as children again.
Let us be like Jak Jak and his classmates and have that child-like faith when receiving our Lord. May we always be filled with excitement and joy, and truly recognize that loving, real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the most precious gift in existence, Your Body and Blood for the sanctification of our souls. May we always be in the right disposition when receiving You, and give You all honour, glory, and reverence that you deserve, to dwell in a temple untainted. Help us to not make excuses when receiving You, Holy of Holies, but that we may have a good Confession to clear our conscience and purify our hearts. I am truly sorry for the times I have received You in the state of mortal sin. Most grievous sinner am I! Thank You for Your mercy in Confession. I love You, Lord. Please always have mercy on me, and by Your body and blood, may I be sanctified to make Your loving presence in this world more apparent to all. Amen.
Coming Home
The Lord has surrounded me with many blessings.
These blessings include the people I encounter on a day-to-day basis at school.
Yesterday, one of my classmates at school had the courage to ask me if I was Catholic. I told her that I am and so I asked her the same question. She told me that she is a Catholic as well, and because of pressure from her parents she attended a Catholic elementary and high school and was also “forced” to attend church and practice the faith regularly. But now that she’s living far from home, she told me that she hasn’t gone to mass or confession in a really long time. She also mentioned how she’s been looking around for a church nearby for her to attend regular Sunday masses. I told her that St. Jude’s Parish was just a 5-minute walk up the street and as I kept talking to her, I could tell by her eyes and the way she spoke that she wanted to cry. She told me how she misses going to church and feels like something is missing in her life. It turns out that the last time she went to confession was in high school. I advised her to go as soon as possible, and she agreed with me. She felt as if she really needed to go. I told her that I would love to join her in mass one day. I shared how I love going to weekday masses because of the peace I feel. The sincerity of her question really opened the doors for her and allowed her to open up about her faith and how she’s been struggling. Her story was humbling to hear and a great witness to God’s plan in her life.
After reflecting on our conversation I was able to see how amazing God’s love and mercy works. He yearns for our hearts and He yearns for us to come back Home to Him. With the conversation I had with my classmate it allowed me to see God’s light within her, yearning for something Greater rather than the temporary pleasures of the world. This year of faith we are all called to evangelize, save souls, and bring them Home. My heart is humbled and her story made me realized the beauty within God’s forgiving and faithful love.
“Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him” – 2 Corinthians 2:8
Deo Gratias.