Repentance. Temptations. Lent (2023-02-26, 1st Sunday Lent)

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2023. 02.26. 1^st Sunday Lent   ●● Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7 ●● Psalm 51 ●●  Romans 5:12-19  ●●  Matthew 4:1-11  ●●   Title: Repentance. Temptations. Lent

  (Sources: (1) A Carthusian Miscellay, (2) Peter Kreeft, Catholic Christianity: Catechism Guide )

[__01__]  There's the story of a person who visited a monastery and asked the abbot or the priest or Padre in charge. What do the monks do in their old day? And the abbot responded, we fall down, we get up and we fall down again. symbolizing repentance, forgiveness, repentance again, admitting we're wrong, and acts of contrition or apologies. I’d like to touch on both Lenten repentance and also the temptations. 

[__02__]   Part One. REPENTANCE Recently, I read an article about the qualities of a good and decent apology. (https://www.npr.org/2023/01/25/1150972343/how-to-say-sorry-give-good-apology)

I bring this up because we pray/read today the classic biblical act of contrition -  or, “I-am-sorry-to-God”  statement – in Psalm 51, the responsorial psalm.

          It the admission of guilt, the taking of responsibility by King David of Israel.

          Why was David so sorry?

          David the king – the # 1 head honcho leader in Jerusalem – was famous not only for his reign but also for his repentance.

          And, in Psalm 51, David was stating his “I am sorry” / contrition for the affair with Bathsheba, his sinful scandal and complex cover-up. 

 [__03__]  In the article about what makes a good apology, the author notes some things NOT to do, some things which have crossed my mind in admitting I was wrong:

(a)  OBVIOUSLY – do not say the word “obviously”, e.g., “I obviously know how hurt you must be” (how could I know ?) or “obviously, I am sorry”. If these things were so obvious, the apology would not be necessary! 

(b)  “OBVIOUSLY” / King David – he was guilty of taking advantage of his power and position. That was obvious. It is not obvious, until he got caught whether he was sorry.

(c)  “I didn’t mean to…”  Do not say this. When we hurt someone, we really have to recognize the IMPACT or EFFECT of our actions rather than what we intended. God will judge the intentions of our hearts. After all, David “didn’t mean to cause a scandal” .   He tried to cover it up !

 

[__04__]   Psalm 51 is a good apology or act of contrition, because it shows David’s trust in God

          This is his act of contrition: “Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.”  (Psalm 51)    Being “washed” or “purified” is what both baptism and the sacrament of confession/penance do.

          “A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me”  (Psalm 51)  David has fallen but wants to get back up again.

[__06__]  As his penance, David does not “resign” as king, but promises to lead sinners back to God by preaching divine justice.

          Instead of a merely external sacrifice, David offers the tribute of a contrite and humble heart.

          Does the value – “the stock price” or “property value”– of David’s kingdom rise as a result? Yes, David is the leader who promises to do better. David’s actions are beneficial to his people, to his country.

          And, when you and I are sincere in our contrition and apologies, we are benefiting others.  

I have learned – sometimes painfully – that in making a sincere apology it’s important to recognize it is not all about me !

Then again, my apology alone – and David’s apology alone is not what changes the world. Rather, it is Jesus’ sacrifice

This is Paul’s message in Romans:   "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners,  so, through the obedience of the one, the many will be made righteous." (Romans 5: __)

 

Part Two.Temptations

[__07.01:1^st. Lust of the Flesh_]  

It may seem antiquated or obsolete to speak about the devil / Satan as a source of evil. Even St. Paul says, the “love of money is the root of all evil.”  (___ref_)

And, didn’t Jesus crush and defeat the devil by suffering and dying on the Cross?

The next time you and I feel distressed by our past failures, we are called to remember that “Jesus’s blood was poured out for the forgiveness of sins.” (__quote___)

The devil works by persuading us – by appearances – not that pure evil is really “good”. Such a deception would be too obvious. The devil does not even deny the existence of God or the angels.

Rather the devil suggests – such as he does to Adam and Eve – that God’s plan is really not beneficial to them.

So, Adam and Eve, you better take matters into your own hands.

Each temptation is not a choice between “pure good” and “pure evil”.

For example, the serpent/devil is correct in saying that the fruit of the tree is good for food.

          And we have a God-given natural desire in our flesh and blood for food, calories. So did Adam and Eve.

          God prohibited them from eating of the 1 tree neither as a conservation effort nor as dietary choice. God prohibited the 1 tree so that Adam and Eve would know what free choice really meant. Being able to do “whatever / wherever / whenever” is not freedom.

          Through this temptation – the lust of the flesh – they learn (and Jesus also demonstrates in the desert)  that freedom is not measured by maximizing of comfort but by our doing good  even when it’s uncomfortable.

          The “lust of the flesh” can get in the way …our Lenten fasts help us to grow in freedom !

 

[_07.02: 2^nd. Lust of the Eyes _]  

And one of the things that we might be tempted by is to be look good in the eyes of others. We want others to like us, we want to be popular, we want to be stronger. And the devil tempts Jesus with this temptation, that if Jesus does something packed, spectacular, people will really follow Him, they will really trust him. And I can also be tempted by this, especially because I may have a desire to please others, to make things good for others, or to be popular in others eyes. One of the reasons we give alms or give charity during Lent is not necessarily to be popular that people who give away lots of money are popular. Okay, that's good news. But it's not why we give alms or give charity. One of the things we can do during Lent or do any time really, is to give alms or to give charity to someone who cannot repay you or cannot repay us. Imagine being nice to the kid in your class, who is the least popular who nobody likes, okay? That kid will not repay you, okay? Like that kid might not even appreciate you or being nice to the neighbor that nobody else likes. It is tempting to the eyes, only to be nice to those who are going to repay us. Jesus says, however, Love your enemy, pray for those who persecute you. So we are called to give charity to contradict this -- lust of the eyes -- this desire to look good in the eyes of others. 

 

[_07.02: 3^rd. Pride of Life _]  

This is demo’d in devil’s offer to Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus will only swear an oath, only promise allegiance to him.

And we come to church to pray to recognize that our allegiance our true loyalty is to God, not to anybody else.

In the desert, Jesus is tempted, and we are tempted, in our “feelings” which the devil has some access to.

Peter Kreeft makes an important distinction:

“Feelings are influenced by external things, like fashions or fads, wind or weather … the devil can influence our feelings, but he has no control over our faith.” (Catholic Christianity: Catechism Guide, Chapter 1 on “Faith”)

And isn't this true of other people that other people can affect how we feel, but they don't really change what we truly know and believe? 

In a book I read about Catholic religious life in the monastery, the author observes that the temptations are tests of faith or of confidence in God. Faith is tested not simply by choosing what is absolutely good over what is absolutely evil.

That's true, we are called to reject what is absolutely evil. But faith is also tested when we choose God in His greatness over things that are merely materially good. Or even just materially comfortable. For example, “staying angry”, can be a stimulant, or taste sweet, like chocolate. And sometimes our anger is justified. It may come from a place that's good. And chocolate is not entirely bad!

But in these and other cases, God is asking us to give up what is partially good – e.g., our own material comfort --- for what is completely good, serving Him. Jesus fasted in the desert so that he could give up his life. He is asking us to do the same in little ways by our Lenten disciplines. 

[__end__]  

Ash Wednesday. Death. Life (2023-02-22)

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Ash Wednesday 2023 (Sources: Benedict XVI, chapters in “Dogma and Preaching” on Eschatology / “On the Theology of Death” (p. 243) and The Liturgical Year / “Lent” (p. 287). Originally published: 1973.  San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2011

[__01__]  Healing of Soul and Body    

          Pope Benedict XVI (B16) made an observation that we go to church for the same reason that we go to the doctor’s office.  That is, we go to both places because we want to live a life that is more abundant and healthier.

We also seek out both forms of “medicine” – physical and spiritual – because we are concerned about death, illness, dying. (Benedict XVI, p. 243)

We go to the doctor’s office – copay or no copay – because we want to live the best possible life. And, if we really want that we also disclose to the doctor what is troubling us.

[__02__] Spiritual / Absolution / Healing      Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is a physician of both body and soul, stating the reason for his mission: “I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

In order for us to be healed spiritually, you and I are also called to disclose our faults, our sinfulness, our sins so that we can healed of what is troubles us. Is it not true that we tell doctors – psychologists – counselors – not just about the symptoms but also about the causes that we may have brought on ourselves.  The confessional is a place for us to tell the “doctor”  - that is Jesus in the person of the priest – what we need to be healed of. There is no copay and you do not necessarily need an appointment. I will hear your confession “on demand”.

[__03__] Death.  B16 also observed what every nursing student and medical intern also knows early in their careers: “working for human life automatically means also coming into conflict with the reality of death.”  (Benedict XVI, p. 243)

This is also true for our sisters and brothers who care for our lives in public safety, West Orange township EMS, firefighters, police officers.

These first responders also recognize that caring for life also means the risk of dying

 [__04__] Ash Wednesday.

Why do you and I come to church on Ash Wednesday? We come to receive the mark of ashes on our foreheads in the sign of the cross – “in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

This sign today – February 22, 2023 - is part of an ongoing blessing to you. The first time the sign of the cross was made was shortly after your birth when your mother, father, grandparents held you and prayed for you and also when you were baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

And, the sign of the cross will also be said aloud when you and I die.

But, today – Ash Wednesday – we are somewhere in between the first and the last, being born and being buried. This is more than a mid-life crisis but rather a mid-life commitment to recognize the sign of the cross in our lives.

[__05__] Lent /  Baptism.

B16 also observed that the reminder of Lent is that “being a Christian” equals “becoming a Christian” each day. We are works in progress, which I prefer to the more “demanding” phrase to be best version of yourself. (Benedict XVI, p. 287)

You are not being upgraded as the new “version” (edition / version number) of software in the move from, say,  Apple iPhone 13 to Apple iPhone 14.  ( The “verdict” for the old “version” is replacement and rejection).

Rather than thinking about a “version”, consider that all of us have a vocation which starts over each day with the possibility of victory, to become husband or wife, every new.  To become a mother or father, ever new.  To become a daughter or son, ever new. To become a neighbor, friend, disciple, ever new.

Also, we live out these vocations (callings) in community. Your baptism, in this regard, is never “private”.  Even if you were the only child baptized that day, you are being given to the whole Church, to the whole world.

This also helps us to thrive in the way any emergency medical technician or emergency room nurse would wish for us. That is, they are not only concerned with the medicine we take now, but the family or community who will help us to stick with the routine.

We gain abundance of life in community not in isolation.

[__06__] Save your life.

Recently, I heard some “life saving advice”. This was from an example given at a Catholic seminar and the speaker is the leader of a group called the Catholic Roundtable for Church Leadership.  Her name is Kerry Robinson.  She was speaking to clergy, religious, Catholic church faithful parishioners with a reminder that good discipleship and decision making is rooted in the Gospel good news about both life and death.

The prayer – the fasting – the almsgiving – of Lent are meant to remind us to love God and neighbor as much as we love ourselves. And, we do these things because Christ himself once did them for 40 days, in preparation for his own living and dying.

Kerry Robinson shared a Q&A discussion she had with other Catholic leaders at which everyone was asked: “how would you like to die?”

The responses were diverse, from each person – each of whom was a fully grown adult:

“I would like to die in my sleep.”

“I would like to do without pain, without having to suffer or be a burden to my family”

“I would like to die after having the opportunity to say good bye to my loved lones”

Then, Kerry Robinson’s teenage daughter – who happened to be in the room – was asked her opinion. She responded:

“I would like to die in the process of saving someone else’s life ”

We receive ashes on Ash Wednesday in the hope of following Christ by whom our lives were saved. He called us to follow him not just with an inscription on our head but also with his words in hearts, that “he who lays down his life my sake will save it.”

Repent and believe in the Gospel.     [__END__]

Turn the other Cheek. (2023-02-19, Sunday-17)

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● February 19, 2023 ● 7^th Sunday ●   ● Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18 ● Psalm   103 ● 1 Cor 3:16-23 ●  Matthew 5:38-48 ● 

 [__01__]    A few days ago, I went to mail a package at the West Orange Post Office and arrived in the busy lobby / waiting area, unsure of my place in the queue or line.

          I stopped at the counter to address the package, name, street, city, state, zip code.  By the time I finished writing, I was not sure of my place in line and – in this case – and I do not always do this – told the person next me, “you were here first. You go ahead.”

          He corrected me, telling me I was first. One day, I will be last!

[__02__]  I think – we might read the Gospel today – these verses of “turn the other cheek”  or “love your enemy” and think we can follow these if only we could be more polite, i.e., not jumping ahead in line, not cutting off another car in traffic, not taking more than our share of the attention or the credit in a cooperative endeavor, or not always striving to be number # 1.

          Yes, it is virtuous to be polite, and avoid trivial rivalry.

          It is virtuous to allow others to go first, to go ahead, to hold the door, and also to give credit where credit is due.

          But, is that all that is meant by “turn the other cheek” or “love your enemy” ? That might be part of it … but I suggest there is more – and it is difficult to turn the other cheek …when you already feel you are falling behind…. Or not having all you need.

[_03__]   Do you know someone -- or more than one person --- who has asked much of your time, your patience, your money? Is there someone whose actions has disrupted – if not “stolen”  your sense of security or identity?

          This could be someone in your own house.

          Is it possible to love such a person?

          Is it possible to turn the other cheek?

Is it possible to love such a person? Is it possible to turn the other cheek? The cheek in this case means our face. And our face and signifies our honor or dignity. And Jesus is saying well if your honor or dignity is if you suffer your honor or dignity, don't retaliate, don't take revenge because our dignity depends on God’s salvation (grace) not a human scorecard.

          It does not mean we will love an “enemy” and “friend” with the same outward behavior, but we can still pray for those who cause us difficulty, not so that their hearts will be changed but so that ours will be.

 

[__04__]   [__04.01__]   

Loving My Neighbor? (“Question Mark”)

At the end of my freshman year of college, one of my classmates neighbors in the dorm building – Jack – walked down the hallway and knocked on my door and made a simple request,

“Jim, I really want to buy a car this summer. Can I borrow $200?”

          Jack was not a poor, impoverished college student from a disadvantaged economic background. He seemed to have the same advantages as I did and his parents seemed to paying his tuition.

          But, Jack – like many people – myself included – wanted to compete, to get ahead and he wanted to buy a car. Good for him.

          And, he came to me with his positive assertive request. He wasn’t peddling or begging, but he was pushing a bit….I gave in and later gave him the $200  which I immediately regretted.      

          We were really only acquaintances and dorm neighbors. I wondered I would ever see him again. The school year was over. We both going home in different directions.

 

[__04.02__]     Turning the Other Cheek.

          Over the summer – which seemed very long to me -- I came to let go of the $200 it was – in some practical way. It was a “practical” act of forgiveness because I did not forget about the money, but I came to presume that I would not be getting it back. It was just practical.

It was not a profound spiritual decision like “70 times seven” you must forgive your brother who sins against you.

I did not see this as “profoundly spiritual choice”, but it was the practical beginning of me “turning the other cheek”. 

I also decided I would NOT discuss the matter with anyone.

While I felt “diminished” and “taken advantage of” (my apparent “kindness”),  I did not feel that speak about it would do any good.

It was like me back in the West Orange post office trying to figure out my place in line. Where do I rank in all of this?

I did not tell my parents who would not have been pleased.

If I brought it up to my parents, what they would say is an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. They would want they would be pressuring me to make sure I got that money back. I didn't want to go there with Mom/Dad.

I did not tell my friends. I did not tell anyone back at school or at home.

I was doing something that I actually do NOT always practice  as a more “mature” adult … today.

I was just letting it all play out. I was NOT trying control the outcome.

I was turning the other cheek.

Long story short: Jack responsibly arrived back at school in September and “paid back” the 200. But, by the time I got the money I was surprised, it felt like a bonus. That was not my logic or thinking. That was the Holy Spirit.

          One of the ways we can “turn the other cheek” is simply to turn to God in prayer with our troubles, before we discuss it with everyone else.

 [__05__] Thomas Aquinas observed that we don’t really love our enemies because they are our enemies.

          Thomas Aquinas is saying that we do not love the other difficult person because of his actual enemy-identity but because of his potential to be a neighbor. In this case, Jack had actually been my neighbor. Even though I was short “200” quantitatively, there was still some qualitative “neighbor” in the account.

 

[__06__]  Jesus lived out – at times – troubled and an unsettled relationships with his own disciples, especially his closest disciples. Recall how Peter behaved immediately after discovering and declaring Jesus to be the Messiah and Savior of the world.

          Jesus elaborates on Messiah-mission as one that requires him to suffer and die and be mistreated by many.

          Peter objects strenuously to this and says he is going to protect Jesus from such harm. Peter does not want Jesus to fall behind.

          Jesus’ response to Peter: “get behind me, Satan” is to warn Peter that he has become an enemy.

          In this case, it is necessary to identify what Peter is doing. We don’t need to create enemies where there are none, but at times, we do not need to stand up for what is truly right in the name of love, love of God, love of neighbor, love of oneself and …yes, love of one’s enemy.

          In the end, the Passion of our Lord and gift of his Body and Blood in Eucharist about forgiveness, even to those who persecuted Jesus.

          Jesus recognizes that all of us have – in some way or other – sinned against him.

          We have all taken advantage, taken more than we deserved or gotten more than our fair share.

          But, while we were enemies with God, he showed us that he still loved us, he paid the ransom for our sins, and makes a much greater payback than we could get or give on our own.  [__end__]

Proportional. Purposeful. Penitential (Gospel teaching on anger) (2023-02-12, Sunday - 06)

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 [__v-06__]  ● February 12, 2023 ● 6^th Sunday, ● 2023-02-08  ● Sirach 15:15-20 ● Psalm   119 ● 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 ●   Matthew 5:17-37 ● 

 [__01_]   February 11 is our parish feast day – Our Lady of Lourdes day – the day in 1858 on which Bernadette Soubirous first saw the apparitions of Mary, as Bernadette is depicted above our altar in the mosaic kneeling and praying the rosary.

          This is a day to pray for healing, for health, recovery for ourselves and our loved ones and to pray that we may be free from any pain, spiritual or physical.

          Bernadette – who was born and raised – in severe poverty – also knew pain and distress in her life. I’d like to touch in this homily on our own response or reflex to pain – in terms of our

·       Proportional response

·       Purposeful  response

·       Penitential response

And while today we recall the heroism and fame of Bernadette, in her own day, the experiences of the apparition brought her family on unwelcome publicity.

The apparitions started about 70 years after the French Revolution. Many French people suffered due to poverty, instability in the government and instability in the Church. Governmentally, neither Social Security nor welfare benefits existed; Bernadette's family couldn't pay their bills. They were in pain.

And part of the message conveyed to Beernadette was about digging deeper in our lives through prayer and penance and sacrifice. Bernadette was told in the in the visions to unite her sufferings to Jesus on the cross.

Bernadette gives us an example of a response to pain that is proportional, purposeful, penitential.

·       Proportional: because she always spoke the truth even to those who didn't believe her. And it's hard to just speak the truth when people don't believe us or we are unpopular for doing so.

·       Purposeful because she always sought out the good of another, not her own good.

·       Penitential: because she spurned fame, notoriety, and she lived in pain and poverty.

 [_02_] I bring this up because the Gospel includes a warning – not about physical PAIN – but nevertheless about something that can be painful à ANGER. 

          On the one hand, ANGER can be neutral or even a positive thing. Jesus Himself displays, at times, righteous anger/indignation. Jesus was angry with the moneychangers who turned his father’s into an AMZN marketplace.

          Nevertheless,  Jesus says that when we are angry we are “liable to judgement”.  Our Lord is warning us not to let our anger lead us toward revenge, hatred, bitterness.

          When you or I feel the pain of anger, we are called to consider how we can act in a way that is proportional, purposeful, and penitential.

Proportionate to the actual problem.

Purposeful and based on the facts

Penitential – is there anything I can do as a sacrifice? When experiencing the pain of anger, I suggest we might consider that physical satisfactions - eating, drinking, leisure – may not solve the anger.  In fact, the the opposite works better – a fast/sacrifice, a time of silent prayer, in some way to search for survival with God’s grace.

E.g., earthquake: And by the way, how are they finding survivors of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria? They're finding survivors by silence. The cranes do their work, and then they go silent. They listen for survivors. If we want to survive, we need silence as well.

Also, isn’t   it true that righteous anger does not simply give us payback. The penitential response is to give back and trust God .   Also, such fasting and praying helps us remain calm and collected if we need to talk out and talk about our anger.

[__04__]  Many years ago, I recall a lapse in judgment that I made – at my work – in which I was the cause of anger (frustration) from my boss directed at me.

          My boss’s “righteous anger” also helped me to change and see the light.

          One day, I did not show up for an important lunchtime meeting – believing that my other meeting which ran late was more important. Wrong answer.

          At 12 Noon, at lunch time, the person on my calendar stopped by my desk looking for me and asked where I was.

          When I arrived back at my desk, my boss informed me who had stopped by and asked me what happened. I did not have a reasonable excuse. My boss was not pleased, but I also recall her anger  was:

PROPORTIONATE – TONE. there were no raised voices. She did not overreact

PURPOSEFUL – TEACHING. She focused on the facts and allowing me to learn a lesson rather than simply receive punishment. (I needed the reminder then – and still need such reminders now -- I am no greater in dignity and importance than another person.)

PENITENTIAL – my boss gave me the benefit of the doubt or, as we say today, did NOT “throw me under bus.”    Thus, I was I was able to reconcile and meet later with the same person. My boss made an otherwise bad situation better.

[__05__] What is Jesus’ reaction when he is angry?   à  Consider, e.g., the woman caught in adultery and the demand made on him to judge the case. Jesus is being trapped.

          His response is:

Proportionate and purposeful: he does not deny the sin, but simply asks those without sin to judge the case. (Ironically, Jesus is the one without sin and he is judging the case).  He urges those who are angry – that is is me sometimes – to examine our hearts.

          Jesus’ response is penitential:

          Jesus stuck his neck out – risked his safety – for the woman. He is penitential.

          The value of fasting and prayer – when angry – is that it teaches us to rely on God for the ultimate resolution not on oneself.

          Anger,  when it is proportional, purposeful and penitential, a risk worth taking and a feeling worth having.

[__06__]    Jesus Christ had a proportionate response to human sinfulness and struggle, a purposeful response…and also a penitential response. He gave his life for you and for me.

Jesus teaches us this fulfillment of 5^th commandment – Thou Shalt Not Kill – not to teach us how far we can go in our rage.   He is simply urging us to examine ourselves before we act or react.    Offering up our anger, our repentance to him has value for the whole world .   We are not just students learning the commandments, by following the gospel, we are also teaching others to do so ....   by offering up what we have, our humility will lead us to true greatness in the kingdom of heaven. [__END__]

1st Penance. "From the Dark to the Light" (2022-02-11, O.L. Lourdes Day)

● February 11, 2023 ●   1^st Penance and Reconciliation

●    Gospel reading: Luke 19:1-10, Jesus and Zaccaheus

[__01__]   Have you ever been afraid of the dark? So … to you, our 1^st Confession friends and future 1^st Communion friends, girls and boys:

Have you ever been afraid of the dark?

The fear -- or phobia -- of being in the dark (darkness) is very common.  It is caused by a lack of light being seen by our eyes.

And because we cannot see, all of our other senses, such as hearing are on high alert.

If I hear a bump, or a noise in a room that is in the middle of the day, and there's lights on, I will probably not be scared, because I can see what's going on.

But if all the lights are off, I may be wondering, what was that sound, I might be afraid of the dark.

I have been afraid of the dark, sometimes even now, as a grown-up, I'm a little bit afraid of the dark. What is that causes this fear?  For me – for grown-ups – it sometimes a hurricane or a big rainstorm or a snowstorm.

What happens - girls and boys - to the electricity or lights in the house, when there was a big storm? What can happen?

Such blackouts or power outages are also a concern for me – and for grown-up’s because we cannot do what we normally want to do – we cannot do the laundry, cannot use the computer, cook in the kitchen….communicate on the phone.

So, what does your mother or father or family do – to prepare for or be ready in case there is a blackout or power outage or no electricity ?

Flashlights. Yes.

What else?  Batteries !

[__02__]  Right now you are being asked to do something you have never done before to go to confession to confess your sins for the very first time.

And again, I can understand all of us can understand Mrs. Barbara, your teachers, the priests here, all of us can understand if you feel a little bit concerned about doing something that you've never done before.

Also, have you ever been in a situation where and also have you ever been in a situation where you have to say you're sorry, and you're not sure how the other person is going to react?

You may wonder is the other person going to be angry or upset with you. But I just want to tell you -- boys and girls --- that when you say you're sorry, and confession to the priest who's representing Jesus, the priest is not going to be angry with you.

The priest is never going to be angry with you, the priest is going to want to share with you God's mercy tell you how much God loves you.

Talking to God is meant to be same way you talk to your mother or father who loves  you. God is your Father who loves you. Jesus is your brother who loves you.

So - have you ever told your mother or father something you did wrong – something you were sorry about ?  Perhaps, your mother or father corrected you, maybe even gave you a little “time out”. But, even then, you knew that your mother and father loved you.

This is also is the reason we have confession, to come to God to say you are sorry. Yes, you might feel you're in the dark, you might not sure what's going to happen, you're not sure what's going to happen next.

But you are speaking and listening to Jesus who loves you.

The priest represents Jesus

[__03__] Zacchaeus.

We just heard was this gospel about Zacchaeus. What was Zacchaeus’ sin or fault. His fault or sin was that he was very greedy, selfish and took money that did not belong to him.

Even though he knew it was wrong, Zacchaeus did it anyway. That’s what a sin is.

Zacchaeus was sorry for what he did … but what’s also interesting is that Zacchaeus does not run up to Jesus and say he’s sorry. 

At first, Zacchaeus runs out to see Jesus, he climbs a tree to see Jesus. Then Jesus invites him down and tells Zacchaeus he is coming to his house.

In other words, Jesus makes friends with Zacchaeus. Jesus also wants to make friends with you.

After Zacchaeus knows that Jesus is his friend, that Jesus loves him, then Zacchaeus  is able to come out of the dark to admit he is sorry.

We want you to know  - Mrs. Barbara, all of the priests and I – want you to know God loves you and Jesus loves you.

The priest is always here in confession, whether you are 7 years old, 17 years old, 47 years old … for your whole life.

And confession in this way is kind of like a flashlight. It's kind of like a flashlight that always has batteries in it. You don't have to put the batteries in the church has put the batteries in the flashlight. I put the batteries on the flashlight. 

We put the batteries in the flashlight for you so that you can see in the dark and you can know that God loves you.

● 11 de febrero de 2023 ●  1ª Penitencia y Reconciliación

●    Lectura del evangelio : Lucas 19:1-10, Jesús  y Zaqueo

 [__01__] ¿Alguna vez ha tenido miedo a la oscuridad? Así que… a ustedes, nuestros amigos de 1ª Confesión y futuros amigos de 1ª Comunión, niñas y niños:

¿Alguna vez has tenido miedo a la oscuridad?

[Pide manos para levantar]

El miedo, o fobia, de estar en la oscuridad (oscuridad) es muy común. Es causado por la falta de luz que ven nuestros ojos.

Y debido a que no podemos ver, todos nuestros otros sentidos, como el oído, están en alerta máxima.

Si escucho un golpe o un ruido en una habitación que está en pleno día y hay luces encendidas, probablemente no me asuste, porque puedo ver lo que está pasando.

Pero si todas las luces están apagadas, puedo estar preguntándome qué fue ese sonido, podría tener miedo a la oscuridad.

He tenido miedo a la oscuridad, a veces incluso ahora, como adulto, tengo un poco de miedo a la oscuridad. ¿Qué es lo que provoca este miedo? Para mí, para los adultos, a veces es un huracán o una gran tormenta o una tormenta de nieve.

¿Qué pasa, niñas y niños, con la electricidad o las luces de la casa, cuando hay una gran tormenta? ¿Que puede pasar?

[Solicitar preguntas y respuestas...]

Tales apagones o cortes de energía también son una preocupación para mí, y para los adultos porque no podemos hacer lo que normalmente queremos hacer: no podemos lavar la ropa, no podemos usar la computadora, cocinar en la cocina... comunicarnos por teléfono.

Entonces, ¿qué hace su madre, su padre o su familia: prepararse o estar listo en caso de que haya un apagón o un corte de energía o no haya electricidad?    linternas Sí.

¿Qué otra cosa? ¡Baterías!

 

[__02__]  En este momento se le está pidiendo que haga algo que nunca antes ha hecho para ir a confesarse y confesar sus pecados por primera vez.

Y nuevamente, puedo entender que todos podemos entender a la Sra. Bárbara, sus maestros, los sacerdotes aquí, todos podemos entender si se siente un poco preocupado por hacer algo que nunca antes ha hecho.

Además, ¿alguna vez has estado en una situación en la que tienes que decir que lo sientes y no estás seguro de cómo reaccionará la otra persona?

Quizás te preguntes si la otra persona se va a enojar o molestar contigo. Pero solo quiero decirles, niños y niñas, que cuando digan que lo sienten y se confiesen al sacerdote que representa a Jesús, el sacerdote no se va a enojar con ustedes.

El cura nunca se va a enfadar contigo, el cura va a querer compartir contigo la misericordia de Dios decirte cuanto te ama Dios.

Hablar con Dios está destinado a ser de la misma manera que hablas con tu madre o padre que te ama. Dios es tu Padre que te ama. Jesús es tu hermano que te ama.

Entonces, ¿alguna vez le has dicho a tu madre o a tu padre algo que hiciste mal, algo de lo que te arrepientes? Tal vez, tu madre o tu padre te corrigieron, tal vez incluso te dieron un pequeño "tiempo fuera". Pero, incluso entonces, sabías que tu madre y tu padre te amaban.

Esta es también la razón por la que tenemos confesión, para venir a Dios y pedirle perdón. Sí, puedes sentir que estás en la oscuridad, puede que no estés seguro de lo que va a pasar, no estás seguro de lo que va a pasar después.

Pero estás hablando y escuchando a Jesús que te ama.

El sacerdote representa a Jesús.

[__03__]  [__03__] Zaqueo.

Acabamos de escuchar este evangelio sobre Zaqueo. ¿Cuál fue el pecado o la culpa de Zaqueo? Su culpa o pecado fue que era muy codicioso, egoísta y tomaba dinero que no le pertenecía.

Aunque sabía que estaba mal, Zaqueo lo hizo de todos modos. Eso es lo que es un pecado.

Zaqueo se arrepintió de lo que hizo… pero lo que también es interesante es que Zaqueo no corre hacia Jesús y le dice que lo siente.

Al principio, Zaqueo sale corriendo para ver a Jesús, se sube a un árbol para ver a Jesús. Entonces Jesús lo invita a bajar y le dice a Zaqueo que viene a su casa.

En otras palabras, Jesús se hace amigo de Zaqueo. Jesús también quiere hacerse amigo tuyo.

Después de que Zaqueo sabe que Jesús es su amigo, que Jesús lo ama, entonces Zaqueo puede salir de la oscuridad para admitir que lo siente.

Queremos que sepas, la Sra. Bárbara, todos los sacerdotes y yo, queremos que sepas que Dios te ama y Jesús te ama.

El sacerdote siempre está aquí en confesión, ya sea que tengas 7 años, 17 años, 47 años… para toda tu vida.

Y la confesión de esta manera es como una linterna. Es como una linterna que siempre tiene pilas. No tienes que poner las pilas en la iglesia ha puesto las pilas en la linterna. Le puse las pilas a la linterna.

Le ponemos las pilas a la linterna para que puedas ver en la oscuridad y puedas saber que Dios te ama.

[__end__]