Brighter days ahead
There is nothing more liberating than honestly confessing one’s sins out loud to a priest and hearing, not condemnation, but actual forgiveness.
From the Editor: Letters from Mr. Kimutis have encouraged me over the last few years. I have invited him to write for Knoxville Nobility at his leisure. Enjoy. - Jennifer Hay
I love this time of year, when the days are growing longer! My family and I greatly enjoy being outside. We often go on walks or runs around the neighborhood. A few weeks ago, there was a brilliant sunset, and I noticed that I could see the light from the sun on the very top of the trees long after the sun had set on the horizon.
I have heard that this time of evening is called the “golden hour.” When I was growing up, I enjoyed this time of day, because my Dad was home from work and we could play games outside in the yard together. Now, I enjoy this time with my own children. There is a sense of satisfaction in having put in a hard day’s work and getting to relax and watch the sun set.
One of my favorite quotes comes from St. John of the Cross: “At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love.” I often think of this quote while enjoying the sunset, because God is light and love (John 8:12, 1 John 4:8).
At the evening of life, the question will be: “How much of God’s light and love did I allow to shine through my life?” God will fill us with His light and love to the extent that we are empty of the darkness of sin and selfishness, and open to God’s grace and merciful love.
But how do we become empty of sin and selfishness and open to God’s love?
Jesus gave his apostles the power and authority to forgive sins in His name:
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:21-23)
Jesus Christ’s reconciling ministry is continued today by priests in the confessional, celebrating the sacrament of Reconciliation. In confessing one’s sins to a priest, one is confessing to Jesus Christ who acts in and through the ordained priest. And the forgiveness that is given comes from Jesus. There is nothing more liberating than humbly and honestly confessing one’s sins out loud to a priest and hearing, not condemnation, but actual forgiveness.
Here are the words that the priest says after hearing the confession of sins:
God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
As we prepare for the coming celebration of God’s victorious light and love on Easter Sunday, may we embrace the remaining days of preparation during the season of Lent. May we each strive to be empty of our sins and selfishness, especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and be filled with God’s light and love.