"Season of Mercy"

February 23, 2010
Year for the Priest

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last night we began our Lenten penitential services; the theme, Season of Mercy. Well over a dozen priests assisted in the administration of the sacrament of reconciliation. What a wonderful way to enter into the liturgical season.

If we are serious about reforming our lives during Lent, the best way to begin is with the sacrament of reconciliation. The sacrament of reconciliation has been referred to by different names including confession and penance. You can see that both refer to a significant action in the sacrament. Confession emphasizes the confession of sins. Penance is what is given by the confessor for reparation. Vatican II emphasizes the reconciling nature of the sacrament in that our relationship with God is restored.

I have met very few people who enjoy going to reconciliation. It’s awkward accusing oneself of sinfulness. Yet, it’s very obvious that unless we acknowledge our sin, we cannot begin to understand God’s mercy.

The Friday after Ash Wednesday I went to the sacrament asking for forgiveness of my sins and God’s mercy. It was not easy. But, I must admit that after I left the confessional, I felt terrific. It was the fact that I lifted the weight of sin from my conscience and turned it over to the Lord whose love has redeemed me.

What we forget sometimes about confession is that it is about Grace. The more often we go to confession the more we receive Grace into our spiritual life.

To use a simple analogy, it’s like taking vitamins and exercising. We feel so much better that we do not even realize the effect the exercise and vitamins have had on us. It’s only when we stop that we suddenly find ourselves in a physical lethargy. The Spiritual life is like that. We practice our faith, reconciliation and the Eucharist, and it builds strength in us to meet the challenges in this world with the sense of God’s presence.

So I am suggesting that you go to reconciliation, confession, or penance. Do it for your sake, and do it for the sake of Christ whose death on the cross saved us. God love you.

See you at reconciliation, and of course, see you at Mass!

Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee

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