REFLECTION
FROM THE DESK OF THE PASTOR
Today’s
readings from the Holy Scriptures teach us about the overflowing mercy and
forgiveness of God. The prodigal son comes to his senses. He repents. His
repentance is superficial. He had what the church would call “imperfect
contrition”. Imperfect contrition is when we are sorry for our sins because we
fear the consequences, especially hell. Perfect contrition is when we are sorry
for the best possible reason because we have offended our Heavenly Father whom
we love above all things. But notice that his father still forgives. The church
teaches that our Heavenly Father will do the same for us. He will forgive us of
our serious sins if we go to confession with at least an imperfect contrition
in our hearts. Once he is forgiven, the prodigal son is able to share once again
in the family meal, for us that is symbolic of the Eucharist. This is why the
church teaches us that if we have mortal sin we may not receive Communion again
until we go to Confession and confess our sins.
Let
us pray for those who have fallen away from the grace of God so that Divine
mercy and forgiveness may reach out to them before it is too late. May their
ears be opened so they will hear that Jesus is welcoming them back again.
