Our loving Jesus Christ hates sin because it separates us from Him. Our Triune God desires to have us in a state of Grace. We do this when we hate sin as much as He hates it. He was wiling to be born, live, lead, and teach us before He died an agonizing death on the Cross. Let’s us hate sin as much as Jesus does.
There are many roles in the Church. In our lives, we may have many different jobs. We have only one true vocation in Jesus Christ. This vocation for all is love. Love is what we are called to be in all our work on this earth. In all we do, love is the way others will know we our rooted in Christ and His Way. Let our one and only vocation be love each day of our lives!
St. Paul in Corinthians reminds us what true love is. It is patient and kind. It is neither jealous, boastful, arrogant, or rude. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. Can we love like this? This is the love of Jesus Christ. Pray to Jesus for the Holy Spirit so you can love this way all who are in your life!
As mystical Catholics, Jesus Christ lives in us. We invite Christ into our very beings so He can direct our very lives. He lives in us! Our faith is not simply beliefs, moral rules, and spiritual activities. It is so much more when we let Christ live through us! Give yourself completely to Jesus Christ and live anew!
Be confident in your confession that you are forgiven. St. Thérèse of Lisieux in The Story of a Soul, “Counsels and Reminiscences writes,“Our Lord would see nothing, count nothing, but the sinner’s last prayer, and without delay he’d receive him into the arms of his mercy.” She reaffirms what we believe that our sins are truly washed away and forgotten once we confess them and turn towards Jesus. He absolves us from them. Let nothing keep you from Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Way!
When you go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, seek a confessor who you know to be wise in their consul. You want them to wisely guide you as they absolve you of your sin in the power of Jesus. We all need wisdom in turning our lives back to Jesus Christ. This is one reason for a going to Reconciliation routinely. We can gain insights into avoiding sin and turning our lives back to God.
St. Thomas More, in Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation, urges us to seek our reconciliation with God and neighbor with a cheerful heart. When we do, we will gain so much more from the experience and it will make our spirits lighter. How we approach our life matters greatly. This is true of penance and turning our lives around. Do not become glum. Rejoice in knowing that Jesus Christ seeks your speedy return to Him!
With examination, we can begin to understand situations where we are likely to sin. This knowledge can lead us to avoid sin in our lives. Pray for this knowledge and understanding of your life and ways. Jesus wants to save us daily. Prayer, reconciliation, and forgiveness of others and ourselves are crucial to a well-live life. Let yourself be loved and saved by Jesus! He wants this so much for all of us.
St. John Eudes, in The Life and the Kingdom of Jesus in the Soul, II, 16, tells us that contrition for sins is an act of our will. We may feel deep sorrow or horror at our acts. However, we need to understand that our repentance stems from our offending God and dismissing His laws and wishes. We must act to acknowledge our faults, resolve to change our ways, and confess this to our dear Jesus. We must decide to change and go back to Jesus. He accepts us back with such love – like the Father in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Joy awaits our return! Commit with your very being to return promptly to Everlasting Love!
God wishes us to overcome our shame and tell our confessor our sins in confidence. The devil wishes to keep us in shame and to hide, from even ourselves, the sins that pull us away from Jesus. Let us go in complete openness to receive the Grace granted in a humble confession! It releases us from great burdens.