https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020724.cfm
Is That You?
After someone confesses their sins in confession, I sometimes ask them, “Is that you? Do those things you confessed make you happy? Do they make anyone else happy?” They always answer, “No.” Then I say, “Why do them?” Sin goes against us. It’s like wanting to go on a diet to lose weight, and we are eating all the wrong foods. It’s like painting over a crack in the foundation of our house, hoping it will go away.
Jesus talks about what defiles a person. Eating the wrong foods over a period of time can defile our bodies. Sins like “evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy” defile us. We turn into the sins we commit. We think and feel sinful. We wouldn’t eat a rotten piece of meat or fish. It would make us sick. It defiles our bodies. Sin defiles our whole person.
When I ask a child in confession, “Does that sin make you happy?” Their face says it all with a sad frown. But their heart is speaking, and they are now in the Presence of the Lord. Their frown becomes a smile when they know they are not a bad person but a good person. I have watched Jesus wash adults’ sins away through the tears rolling down their cheeks.
Praise God! “God saw everything that he had made. Indeed, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31). His goodness in us endures every sin we commit because His merciful love for us never fails.
Gospel Challenge:
Make a good confession and put your heart into it.
Love Your Neighbor:
Please join me in praying for all baptized Catholics to be faithful to Jesus in the Holy Mass every weekend. Hail Mary, full of grace…
Mother Mary, “I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you, I always want to belong completely to Jesus.” The Surrender Novena – InHeartland. https://inheartland.com/pages/the-surrender-novena
Peace be with you.
Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.
pastor@bscchurch.com
