The readings for this Lenten season, cycle B, have a strong push towards reconciliation with God and His unending love for us – today’s readings are no exception. In addition to reflecting on the readings for the day (I especially like the Psalm chosen for today) take a look at the Gospel acclamation. Many times the acclamation is a quick verse from the Gospel that quickly sums up the Gospel’s point, but not today. Today’s acclamation is taken from the 2nd book of Joel. Take some time to read the 2nd chapter through – start to finish. As a matter of understanding, read it a couple times through and take the time to read the footnotes associated with it. What point is God trying to get through to us?
Again, Lent is a season of penance and reflecting not only on what we need to improve our lives spiritually, mentally and physically, but to take advantage of God’s endless mercy and receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. We need to go to confession. At our 11:30 AM Mass this past Sunday, Msgr. Rammioccatti stressed that this sacrament should be done regularly – suggesting we see the inside of a confessional at least once a month. He tied the act of going to Confession to Sunday’s Gospel in that our act of going to confession gives God the opportunity to “clean out our Temple”. Msgr. strongly recommended finding a regular confessor you could do this with and even offered the values of a good confessor that he himself looks for…a good confessor should have the following two qualities: first, he should be hard of hearing and second, he should speak little english. You’ve got to love a priest with a true sense of humility.
Before heading to confession, take time to examine your conscience. Earlier during a previous in this blog, i suggested downloading the Laudate app onto your phone or computer. Below are a few of the questions the Laudate app suggests to be used for examining your conscience:
- Have I gone to Mass every Sunday?
- Have I prayed everyday (15-20 minutes)?
- Have I told God that I want to love him with my whole heart, mind and strength?
- Have I recognized my need for Jesus and His salvation?
- Have I been financially generous to the Church?
- Have I told my spouse that I love him/her?
- Have I listened to my spouse?
- Have I avoided resentments and bitterness toward my spouse to take root in my mind and nurtured these thoughts?
- Have I been a shepherd and guardian to my children as God has appointed me?
- Have I tried to foster a Christian family where Jesus is Lord?
These are only a few of questions this app offers us to reflect on…again, take time to examine your life and find the time to go to confession this week.
God Bless. Do something great for God today.
St. Mary Magdalen Men of God 