Here we are in early spring and early Easter. We are celebrating new life in nature and risen life in Jesus. To get here, we underwent a harsh winter and 40 days of penance. Yet, here we are again talking about penance for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1 John 2:1-5a; Luke 24:35-48). Why? The answer is simple. Penance is not just a 40 day retreat during Lent. It’s a continual way of life for the committed Christian. We never reach perfection in this life. As the bible tells us, “Even the just man falls seven times a day.” (Proverbs 24:16) So there is a constant need for us to do penance. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, knows that which is why he goes to confession every other week. And his two predecessors, Pope Benedict and Pope St. John Paul II, went every week. If we are wise, we will learn from these holy men and receive the Sacrament of Confession on a frequent and regular basis.
- Father Carl
“Work for Peace. We are living in a time of
many wars, and the call for peace must be shouted.
Peace sometimes gives the impression of being quiet,
but it is never quiet, peace is always proactive
and dynamic.”
~ Pope Francis’ “Secrets to Happiness” (#10 of 10)
