Today, I’d like you to impart a sense of urgency around both forgiveness and the sacrament of confession. Too often, we choose to dwell in unforgiveness and unforgiven sin. Jesus was clear about reconciling quickly in the Gospel of Matthew…
You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
While recognizing forgiving and asking for forgiveness are hard, reconciling quickly is part of healthy Divine psychology. We should act with the urgency we do when our car is about to run out of gas. Commit to confession as soon as you fall into serious sin. And forgive others quickly, especially when you don’t feel like it – it is healthier for you and for the other person.
Let’s pray – Loving Father, help us to tap into your forgiveness in the Sacrament of confession, and help us to emulate your unyielding mercy by forgiving others quickly. Before we bring our gifts to you, let us to go first and be reconciled. Amen.