Calm, Confidence and The Grace of Confession – November 9, 2017

Tuesday evening our ten Second Graders will receive their First Reconciliation – the Sacrament of Penance for the first time.  They are a great group of kids – six boys and four girls.  Full of energy.  Bright.  Earnest.  Funny and fun.  Reconciliation is a crazy-big word for seven- and eight-year-olds, but they understand that it means two things that are far apart that come together.  We have acted out the story of The Prodigal Son (a.k.a. “The Forgiving Father”) so many times they know the story by heart.  They especially like the part where the father RUNS to the son – so filled with compassion is the father (Luke 15:20).  At first the children were confused.  The illustration in their catechism shows an old man with white hair.  How can an old man run? Shouldn’t the young son do the running?  “Ah!,” I said, “that’s the great thing about the way Jesus tells the story.  It’s surprising!”  We don’t expect an old man to come running – but our God DOES run to us (metaphorically speaking). 

The first night of class the parents were there.  I asked them to tell me something that “delights” them about their son or daughter.  The stories were great.  Parents do love to talk about their children.  And children love to hear stories about themselves.  And then I got to teach one of my most favorite things to teach, “As much as you are delighted by your child, God is delighted even more!  God loves us so much.  And when we make a bad choice and are sorry, God rushes to help us.”  RUSHES to help us.

My hope is that the children have a sense of calm and confidence on Tuesday night.  It’s not an easy thing to do –saying our sins out loud.  I’ve been going to confession for 50 years and I still get nervous (and usually cry!).  But every time I do celebrate the Sacrament of Penance, I come to know more deeply that I am loved and called to love.  I receive the grace of the sacrament.  I receive a fine robe and a ring and sandals for my feet (metaphorically speaking).

We’ll have a party after the prayer service on Tuesday.  I don’t think we’ll have a fatted calf, but who knows?  Maybe some burnt ends…