Penance and Pizza Monday, March 27th from 5:30pm Extra Priests for Confession in the Church – Child Care and Pizza in the Gym
Today is the fourth Sunday in the season of Lent. It is also known as Laetare Sunday when we take a break from the austerity of Lent to “rejoice” that Easter is almost here. Laetare Sunday gets its name from the first few words of the traditional Latin entrance for the Mass of the day. "Laetare Jerusalem" ("Rejoice, O Jerusalem"). So, rejoice, O Tybee and celebrate with something yummy today – perhaps with a Laetare Sundae!
Our theology of sacraments is founded on the fact that God knows we are human and that we learn in and through our senses; by touching, seeing, hearing, smelling, and tasting. We get a sense of this in today’s Gospel. Jesus uses his hands, plus mud and water, to heal and forgive sins. He speaks words out loud. This is what makes the sacraments so powerful. For instance, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation through the priest we have a tangible way to experience Jesus’ forgiveness of our sins. We experience forgiveness in a very human, physical way.
And while few Catholics actually enjoy going to Confession, this Sacrament offers us a wonderful opportunity to deepen our relationship with Christ and experience more deeply his love and mercy. And one of the most powerful ways we can grow in our relationship to Christ is to humbly admit that our relationship is not everything that it could be, it is not everything that we would hope it to be. So, a very basic Catholic practice that too many Catholics have avoided for far too long is to confess our sins and seek out God’s great mercy. I am hoping that you will rise to the challenge and join us next Monday evening, March 27th for the Lenten Penance Service and Adoration at 5:30pm.
We begin with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and immediately start celebrating the sacrament. It would be nice to start off with a “crowd”, but I realize not everyone will be able to make by 5:30. Don’t worry as long as you are in line by 6:15, we’ll be happy to hear your confession. If it has been a while, please trust me when I tell you that I try to allow only compassionate priests to hear confessions in our parish. I think Bishop Boland and Fr. John Lyons are especially compassionate men. Part of that compassion comes in helping you to make a good confession especially if you have forgotten the “how” of confessing your sins. You only need to be able to “name” your sins and the priest will be happy to lead you through the details of celebrating the Sacrament. To be honest it's hard, maybe one of the hardest things in the world, to face up to whatever wrong you've done and ask for mercy. But that's why the relief, and spiritual growth, that comes from confession is so powerful. It is meant to feel like the crucifixion, but it ends with a new, healthy life — a resurrection.
Most people have a sense of their sins, but the Ten Commandments offer a good guide for an examination of conscience. And perhaps the following questions will also help you prepare:
Do I pray to God every day? Have I thanked God for His gifts to me?
Did I take the name of God in vain? Do I curse “like a sailor”?
Did I miss Mass on Sundays or holy days of obligation through my own fault?
Did I disobey my parents and lawful superiors in important matters?
Did I steal or damage another's property? Have I been honest and just in my business relations?
Have I been responsive to the needs of the poor and respected the dignity of others? Do my sexual energies give glory to God?
Did I tell lies? Did I sin by calumny, or detraction of others? Did I judge others rashly in serious matters? Am I envious of what others have? Am I a gossip?
I’d ask you to faithfully commit to attending the Lenten Penance Service with your family. There will be childcare for your younger children in our gym and after confession all are invited to head over to the gym to celebrate God’s forgiveness with a little pizza party.