“Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions we have committed. At the same time it entails the desire and resolution to change one’s life, with hope in God’s mercy and trust in the help of his grace.” Catechism of the Catholic Church # 1431
As I read this section of the Catechism focused on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, I can’t help but contemplate my sinfulness. I’ve failed God so many times in my life. Not just little things but in big ways.
I pray on the Sacrament of Reconciliation and come to see this is a Sacrament of reorientation. All the times of sin and falling, I’ve gotten back up. Maybe at times been afraid, but I’ve come back to God. I may have turned down that road expecting punishment but I’ve made that ‘long walk’ to Confession anyway. “Judge and punish me as You will, Lord. But, I need to make this right regardless of the consequences.” Never has God failed to run down that road to meet me. Never once has He failed to wrap HIS arms around ME and exclaim “My son who was dead is alive!” Even if my sin is again the same, He has never failed to put His cloak around me and His ring upon my finger. Never once has God failed to cover me in His Divine Mercy.
And, as I apologize this morning for the same sins, knowing I want to never commit these sins again but probably will fail again. God shares with me that His Divine Mercy is eternal and overwhelming but that He wants me to see this mercy as a reorientation. A chance in my contrite repentance to change my heart this time again, toward Him. With each contrite confession, and promise to avoid sin in the future, I do move closer to God. I do glorify His Divine Mercy through my sin by turning back as the prodigal to my Father.
Reorient your heart and mind toward God. Go, make a contrite confession to God. Admit your sins and ask the Father’s forgiveness. you may come to that confessional with these words, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” But, God the Father will treat you as His son (or daughter) reborn to new life. Alive again and back home. If you stray again, or..when you stray again, run back to God’s mercy as soon as you realize your first step into sin. Reorient that sinful nature to one of sanctity, one step at a time.
“I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.” Luke 14:18-24