Readings:
Reflection: In St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians
we all receive a kind Lenten reminder to return to the Lord through the
Sacrament of Reconciliation. We can
quickly come to see the Sacrament of Reconciliation and making a verbal
confession to a priest as uncomfortable and unnecessary. This, however, would be a false
assumption. St. Paul reminds us that God
does not count our trespasses against us.
As long as we come to Him with a humble and contrite heart and seek to
turn from our sinful ways, our Father will joyfully forgive us just as the
Father of the prodigal son forgave his son’s sinful ways. “For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become
the righteousness of God in him.” Don’t
miss out on the beautiful forgiveness and grace that flows from the Sacrament
of Reconciliation simply because it makes you uncomfortable. “This man welcomes sinners and eats with
them.” Our Father already knows our sins
and our failings, and He longs to welcome us home and to fill us with His
grace.
Reflection for kids: God
knows our sins and he loves us anyway.
God wants to forgive us and to love us in-spite of our sins. All we must do is love Him and seek His
forgiveness and try to sin no more.
Big
Picture: God knows our sins and he loves us
anyway.
Discussion
Starters:
Younger
saints: Does
God love everyone? Even those who have
sinned? How do we seek forgiveness for
our sins?
Older
saints: Have you
been to confession yet this Lent? What
is holding you back? We read today about
a loving a forgiving human father who forgave the sins and failings of his son
and celebrated his return home. Does our
Father in heaven not love us and forgive us more than any human father ever
could? Why then are you afraid to bring
your failings to Him and to seek His forgiveness?
Scripture
Verse for the Week:
“For our
sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the
righteousness of God in him.” 2
Corinthians 5:21
You
are now entering the mission field: Invite
a neighboring family over for dinner this week.
Ask them their plans for Easter and share a glimpse of the Catholic
Church and the story and meaning of Easter (Corporal Works of Mercy: Feed the Hungry).
Notes:
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ReplyDeleteI didn’t see a follow widget on this site, but if you put one up...I will gladly follow you publicly as well.
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