When was the last time you availed of the Sacrament of Reconciliation? - Daily Reflections August 8,2013

A WOUNDED HEALER HEALED   Jesus turned to Peter who professed boldly, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” For Peter and the other Apostles, Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for. Jesus then told them how Peter was able to discern that truth: “It was not flesh or blood that has revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven!”        It is hard to know why the Father chose to reveal Jesus to Peter. But another important concern would be why Jesus entrusted to him the leadership of the Apostles and the Church. Peter, for Jesus, represents man, who strives to be faithful in following the Lord but stumbles at times due to his weaknesses. Later, Peter will deny Him thrice. Yet, later again, he will redeem himself by offering his life for His Master. He loved Jesus in spite of his weaknesses. And Jesus knew that.        Jesus loves us, too! Every priest, in a special way, knows that. I always experience it whenever people come to the confessional, very repentant, exposing themselves more by humbly enumerating their sins. Some feel like giving up in trying to avoid repeated sins. St. Paul, in his Letter to the Romans, puts it perfectly, “I do not do what I want, but on the contrary, the very things I hate. In fact, I do not do the good I want, but the evil I hate” (Romans 7:15,19). But Paul himself answered the dilemma: “Alas for me! Who will free me from this condition linked to death? Let us give thanks to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25).        We may be the greatest sinners in the world but God’s grace and love is always greater. There is nothing He cannot forgive unless we do not ask forgiveness. Peter knew sin. Every priest knows sin. Everyone, save for the Lord, had sinned. But we find consolation in Jesus who died for us. He had defeated evil and death. Death met its end in Jesus’ resurrection. Peter was tasked to proclaim that truth and share God’s mercy in and through the Church. Every priest, too, plays that role in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Hopefully, every Christian will avail of that unconditional love. Fr. Benny Tuazon   REFLECTION QUESTION: When was the last time you availed of the Sacrament of Reconciliation?   Lord Jesus, help me as I struggle with my human weaknesses. Help me to turn them into stepping stones to love You more and grow closer to You.