My Priest Knows Me

I love the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Sometimes at my parish it’s called the Sacrament of Mercy and I think that actually draws me even more to the confessional.  Why would you not want mercy?  That’s just crazy!  I was once visiting a parish out of town and was doing the Stations of the Cross and as I walked past the confessional I noticed a sign on the door that said, “Love Shack”.  Quite frankly I was a little disturbed by that name, but really, what could be truer?  I know we see the priest walk into the confessional, but it’s Jesus who hears our confessions, forgives us, and absolves us of our sins.  The priest is just the instrument through which Jesus works.

I didn’t make my first confession until I was 33 years old and I had a lot to cover.  I was very nervous that first time and it didn’t help I was at a communal penance service.  It always seems as though everyone can hear you, and so I was in no rush to go.  I looked around at all the priests who were available and all I could think about was getting the one young priest “on the panel” because I did not want any of the old guys hearing my confession.

That experience forever changed my life.  That’s the point of confession, to be changed.  To turn from your sin and run to a life in Jesus.  Not to say it’s easy, because it isn’t, but when have good things ever just fallen from the sky?  We have to work at them.  As much as I’ve come to love the sacrament of reconciliation, I know I have a lot more to learn about the mercy we are being offered.

The confessional has become a refuge for me.  The priest is welcoming and his attention is focused on healing the heart and soul.  Although I prefer to make confessions to my parish priest, others prefer the anonymity of confessing to a priest from a different parish.  I personally like the feeling of accountability I get when confessing to someone I see on a regular basis.  I know the priest does not remember individual confessions, but I leave the confessional with the sense of duty not to sin again, especially when I know I’ll be seeing that priest again very soon.

I have to admit, there are times when I want to go somewhere else for confession because I don’t want to confess to my parish priest, but humility is part of confession.  Turning away from our pride and admitting what we’ve done wrong.  Remember, Jesus already knows what you’ve done wrong, better than you do, but He wants you to be humble, just as He is humble.

I go to my parish priest for confession because he is my spiritual father.  It is the “duty” of every priest to make sure you get to heaven and so you can go to any priest and he will hear your confession and help you.  But there is a bond between you and your spiritual father that is not present with another priest.  Spiritual matters should not be taken lightly.  If your goal is to get to heaven, you have to be serious about doing what it takes to get there.

I’m not saying you can’t go to another confessor; because certainly there are times when it’s appropriate.  If you are out of town, on a retreat, you can’t make it during the scheduled confession times.  If you are in need of reconciliation, go wherever you can to find Jesus in that sacrament.

Just as you are the best one to take care of your children when they are in need, so your priest is the best one to take care of “his” children….you and me!

GOD LOVES YOU

I tell you this for 2 reasons:

1)       Maybe no one has ever told you this before.  If that’s the case I’m sorry, because everyone should know how much they are loved by God, our Father in heaven.

2)     You may have forgotten and in that case, now you have been reminded.

Each and every one of us is loved by God the Father as though we were the only one He loves.  He loves all of us together, but also, individually.  You are a unique creation of God and He loves you, exactly as you are.

His love is unconditional – that means He loves you no matter what.  If you have done some things in your life that you are not proud of, turn to God.  He WILL forgive you, He WILL have mercy on you and He WILL ALWAYS love you.

If you feel as though something is missing in your life and you have searched and searched and searched and have been unable to find it, turn to God.  He alone can fill that void in your life.  He alone can complete you.

Too many people in this world are wounded in one way or another, they feel unloved and unwanted.  God loves you and He wants you, for eternity.  The easiest way to turn to God, right now, is to get down on your knees and ask God to come into your life.

I don’t know your background but I do know this, if you go to a Catholic Church (they can be found everywhere) and ask to talk to the priest and tell him that you would like to get to know God, he will help you.  Tell the priest where you are right now in your life – whether you are unbaptized or were baptized in the Catholic Church, the Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist or Presbyterian church, a priest will help you.  Same applies if you are Jewish, Hindu, Muslim or atheist. A priest will help you because he has dedicated his life to serving God and he wants you to get to heaven.  

If you need help finding a priest to help you, send me a message and I will gladly assist you in finding a priest in your area.

Until you are ready to take that step (I know it’s scary), spend a minute in prayer a few times a day and ask God to be with you.  Ask Him to show you His love for you.  Ask Him to fill in the gap between the love you have received in your life and the love you have needed.

God has prepared a place for you in Heaven because He loves you.  Ask Him to help you get there so you can spend eternity with the most loving of Fathers.

SMILE – God DOES love you!