We are disciples of Christ, we die to our old life in the waters of baptism, and we rise to new life in him. Even though we strive toward perfection as disciples of Christ in our journey of faith, that does not me we still don’t struggle with sin, that we don’t face temptations on our journey. In his letter to the Romans, Paul acknowledges the reality of sin. He acknowledges that the power of sin is still active in the reality of the lives of faithful. That is one of the aspects of our Catholic faith that I really like, as we as Catholics openly acknowledge this power that sin can have over us even as we walk as believers. We are called to a cycle of conversion and repentance continuously on our journey of faith. We are called to confess our sins, to repent, to do penance and to strive to do better.
In an article in America Magazine when he was first elected Pope, Pope Francis was asked: Who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio? He answered very simply: "I am a sinner. This the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner." We are all sinners, this is true, even the Pope. However, we have the help of God’s grace, which Paul says is the source of our liberty and security.
It is already near the end of October. I have already scheduled our Advent reconciliation service here at St Jude for the first Monday in the season of Advent on November 29. Bishop Kopacz and Monsignor Flannery have already agreed to come to help listen to confessions that evening. Advent and Lent are great season for us to partake of this wonderful sacrament of reconciliation, healing, and forgiveness. However, we should all go to the sacrament of reconciliation more frequently than just in our two penitential seasons. May the Lord lead us and guide us to the path of righteousness as we journey with Jesus in faith.
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