The Greatest Disaster? Sin!

When disaster befalls us and our lives are lost in storms, fires and floods, some wonder if they have been punished more than others as somehow more deserving of God's wrath. People reacted in much the same way in the Lord's day. A wall had fallen on some workers in Siloam, which some took as God's punishment for those who had sinned more than others. "...do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Lk 13. 4-5) 

 

"[Jesus] tells us that, without Holy Baptism, no one will enter the kingdom of heaven (cf. Jn 3:5); and, elsewhere, that if we do not repent we will all perish (Lk 13:3). This is all easily understood. Ever since man sinned, all his senses rebel against reason; therefore, if we want the flesh to be controlled by the spirit and by reason, it must be mortified; if we do not want the body to be at war the soul, it and all our senses need to be chastened; if we desire to go to God, the soul with all its faculties needs to be mortified" (St. John Mary Vianney, Selected Sermons, Ash Wednesday).

 

Repentance in the heart leads to confession with the lips. The Lord commands us to mourn for our sins and, with contrition, to embrace a firm amendment to avoid the near occasions of sin in the future. This contrition is not something added to the Gospel as an option but is of necessity if we are to love God and receive the gift of salvation. The disposition of contrition is required of us, therefore, when receiving the sacramental gift of divine forgiveness in Confession.

Among the penitent's acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is "sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again." (CCC 1451)  When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called "perfect" (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible. (Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1676.) (CCC 1453)

Perhaps this week, as we come to nearly the halfway point of Lent, let's continue preparing by examining our consciences in order to rightly confess our sins and be prepared for the celebration of the Resurrection.  Don't forget that our parish penance service will be Tuesday, March 30th.  Maybe use the next few weeks to be reflecting and preparing to experience Christ's "welcome" in the Sacrament of Penance.