Joy in Reconciliation

I never had a chance to post about this, but Luke made his First Reconciliation last month!

I love the way our parish does this.  The child sits with his or her parents, and older siblings, and any other family members who want to share in the Sacrament.  One at a time, we make our confessions to a priest.  It's just so beautiful to do this together, the way we should be doing it every month or so.  It's a great way to witness to each other, and to receive the gift of Reconciliation!

My First Reconciliation experience was so different!  We moved my third grade year.  In second grade, I had made my First Communion, but at that parish, at that time, they made First Reconciliation in third grade.  It makes no sense to me now, but that's what they did!  At our new parish, the children had made their First Reconciliation where it makes sense -- before First Communion.  So one day, in catechism class, they lined us up to go to confession, and I had no idea what to do.

No idea.

I started crying, and when I explained why, the teacher said I should just tell the priest my situation.  When I got in the confessional, I did just that -- through blubbery tears.

Aren't I blessed, though?  I must have gotten one of the sweetest priests in the world.  I remember him as being very old, and very kind.  He said to me, "You need to stop crying, or you'll turn your blue eyes brown."

For some reason, that made me laugh -- or at least smile.  He helped me through it, and I always found this a beautiful Sacrament.

As I have grown, I have come to love Reconciliation more and more.  I know plenty of people find it foolish to confess your sins to a priest.  But it just makes so much sense to me that God, who created us, knows us well enough to know that it is hard to let go of something without sharing it with someone else.  We are made for communion.  He knows us, and He loves us.  And He doesn't want us to have to share these things with just anyone.  He wants us to share them with Him.  He wants us to hear these words when we come to Him in true contrition: "I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Go in peace to love and serve the Lord."

Thanks be to God!  I am absolved -- in God's name!  Go in peace -- yes, I can do that now that I don't have all that crud hanging around!  He is strengthening me with this gift of free grace!  I can go in peace!

I always feel like I could dance around a bit after confession.  I am so grateful for this gift!

And I am thankful to say that Luke is too.  As we left the church, he said, "I feel like I could fly!"

Then we all proceeded to try to do the Mary Poppins' heel-click as we floated out to the car.

Thank You, Lord!