Penance

In reflecting on the great Sacrament of Penance (or Reconciliation), Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, recently reflected that “the face of God is mercy.” No matter where we are in life, all of us need the saving mercy of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who goes in search of the lost sheep. In fact, the Lord Jesus gave authority to his apostles to forgive sins: “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them” (Jn 20:23). This authority has been handed down to their successors, the bishops, and priests as their collaborators.

In the Sacrament of Penance, the soul is totally washed of sin and given sanctifying grace so that the person might be sanctified and strengthened. All of us need this great sacrament of the mercy of God, who is knocking at the door of our hearts, inviting us to receive this healing work of his love. He says to us, “Be not afraid!” (Mt 14:27). 

Are we not all, at some point in our lives, the Prodigal Son, who has committed sins against our Father? If we only knew his great love for us when we seek his help, his forgiveness, his mercy, we would run to this sacrament with joy. As the father says in joy over the return of his son, “My son was lost, but he has been found!” (Lk 15:24).