Advent is a time
for us to not only to reflect, but also to plan. We reflect on Jesus entrance in history
for the first time, revealing a fully human and fully Divine form. However, Advent is a
time when we look to self to examine weather we're ready for His second coming. (You might
want to check the "Examination
of Conscience." ) When is His second coming anyway?
Too often, we put
emphasis on an historical Second Coming... you know, when Jesus enters history again. But,
can Jesus be broken down into parts? Of course not. He is the Alpha and Omega. He is all
that He is with no division of his life. He is His Second Coming! So, He is the second
coming at all times. When we receive the Eucharist, we are making a statement with moral
certitude that we are ready for His second coming now, for he is no less Divine in the
Eucharist than He is at His historical entrance or Divine and Eternal existence. He is no
less His Nativity, Passion, Death, Resurrection, Ascension, and Second coming then He ever
is. He is always all of these things. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We
cannot presume upon salvation if we are not ready to participate with what He has provided
through Divine revelation. Christmas means nothing if we are not walking in His footsteps
according to His plan. We live our Eternal life with Him now, but in the contest of the
historical world.
So, this is a time
to reflect and examine our consciences. If for some reason we cannot receive the
Eucharist, chances are that we're not ready to receive His second coming. That is why so
many of our parishes celebrate a penance service.
Penance can be practiced in
primarily two forms. It can be a religious devotion or a celebration of a Sacrament. When
we participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we practice a sacramental penance. When
we offer penance in our personal lives for various intentions, it is a religious devotion.
This time of joyful
penance is a priestly act of those who call themselves a priestly people, for we offer
ourselves and our submission to the mercy of God.
When we were
baptized, we all became "children of God." Again, what's so special about
being a child? Think about it... a child has no past. So, you come to restore your
baptism through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Isn't it wonderful? It matters not if it
has been 20 days or 20 years since the last time you were here. This is a welcoming
sacrament. It is the restoration to your baptismal state... to the fullness of your
childhood. When you leave, you will be like the child that has no past. You will know the
peace of Christ because you believe... you trust in His forgiveness. That is why
"Gospel" means "Good News" and not the "Jesus Nightmare."
"Gosh! What
will the priest think of me?" Well, chances are that the priest is in awe of your
courage and honesty. Many times, a priest hears sins that he is familiar with confessed by
the penitent. He is often challenged as to whether he has confessed this sin with as much
sincerity as he is hearing in you. Yes, priests go to confess their sins too! We all sin
and fall short of the glory of God.
Yes, You may be
given a particular penance! Is penance a "punishment?" Well, would a parent
express the forgiveness before or after the punishment? Most of us experience a type of
punishment before we come to be reconciled. The first act of a reconciled relationship is
a penance. It is a wonderful and joyful expression of the restored relationship. So, it is
NOT a punishment and shouldn't be experienced as such. It is a celebration of restitution
and is joyfully experienced. Joy? Yes, the joy of knowing that "I am forgiven"
by an all-loving God... in spite of a possible lack of my own ability to forgive myself. I
am overjoyed that He is the one who teaches the rightful way of forgiveness.
So, as you leave
the Confessional, we hope that you will radiate with the happiness of the Kingdom in your
heart. For, like a child of the Kingdom, you no longer have to carry around a past of
sinfulness. No, you only have the promise, possibility, and growth of the eternal Kingdom.
That is transformation and conversion. Penance is not a "pay back." It is an act
of thanksgiving for the generous mercy that God gives so freely upon acknowledgment of our
weaknesses, for only God can defeat the existence of our sins through His Divine
forgiveness.
We must be forgiven
by God and by each other! This outward sign of our forgiveness of each other, even if we
do not need to participate in the Sacrament itself, is known by our presence at a communal
service and rendered through our participation of prayer for those moving deeper
into the conversion process.
Therefore, it is a good
suggestion to ask as many participate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is
not only an opportunity for each individual to go to confession, but also it offers the
chance to pray for each other and offer the practice of God and neighbor that we so freely
profess. Let's start Advent right!
Second Coming
Score Card
Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in
heaven.” “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be
like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds
blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And
everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool
who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and
buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
Is Jesus really Lord of all in my life or do I only let him be a “part time”
Lord? Is Jesus Lord of my spirit and soul? Where can I make improvements? Am I obedient to
all Jesus’ commands? On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the best, I score myself as what in
the following areas?
1.______I evangelize by sharing my faith with all others without picking and choosing?
I tithe my time for :
2.______Prayer
3.______Religious Education
4.______Service
5.______I tithe my talents in serving God and neighbor, so I can include it in the bread
and wine before the consecration.
6.______I tithe my financial resources, 5% to God through the Church and 5% to God through
charitable causes.
7.______I pray for others without discrimination, even those who perceive themselves to be
enemies.
8.______I plan my sacrifice for mass before getting to the Church.
9.______I deliberately curb gossip with myself and others.
10.______I avoid entertainment that is not socially redeeming. I could be sitting right
next to Jesus and find that he sees it as entertaining too.
11.______I enter into martyrdom when needed when it comes to practicing my faith for the
benefit of others by sharing what they do not particularly “want” to hear, but
without judging their souls.
12.______I deliberately forgive and put my hurt feelings aside.
13.______I respect the accumulated wisdom of the Church and obey the successors of the
Apostles as the Holy Spirit speaks through them.
14.______I never support abortion or euthanasia or any power that supports the destruction
of life.
15.______I do not discriminate in any way because of race, color, or creed.
16.______I know and use God’s gifts of material possessions, the Gifts of the Holy
Spirit, and the Sacraments.
17.______I follow all of the Ten Commandments.
18.______I plan the Lord’s Day and Holy Days of Obligation, putting all things first
that glorify him and avoid things that can be called “work” even when planning
vacations and days off.
19______When I disagree with Church teaching, I only do so after extensively studying the
issue, disregarding rationalization of convenience.
20______I understand the imperfection of all and remember mine when I am tempted to judge
or criticize others.
21.______Even if my talents are small, I do not hold back in song or praise to God.
22.______I am obedient.
