The Miracle of Reconciliation

So many people carry the burdens of the mistakes they've made, the hurts they've endured, and the trials they have survived— every day, all day.  Many talk with friends about how they feel, some bottle it up in hopes of just forgetting, and some go to therapy. 

Therapy can be helpful; I won't criticize it's positive effects.  I will however, note that therapy can take many, many years to achieve a breakthrough. (And a lot of money!)  What if I told you there was something better, faster and free? What could be better than that?  Well good news!  There is something, and I experienced it first hand for myself last year.  Its effects are so fast, powerful and deep you would think it was magic!  It is the power of God's merciful love through the sacrament of reconciliation.  And I'll tell you with all my heart, there is nothing like it!  

Remember when you were a child and you did something that you knew would really upset your parents?  You did everything you could to hide it from them.  The guilt gnawed at you day in and day out, right?  Like what happens in the children's book A Big Fat Enormous Lie by Marjorie W. Sharmat.  You didn't feel better until you confessed to them what you had done and they of course, forgave you! Oh how relieved you finally were! It felt like a heavy rock was off your shoulders, or a huge ugly monster was no longer sitting on your chest.  You could move forward not thinking of that mistake any more.

That is exactly what the sacrament of reconciliation feels like!  I went through years of therapy off and on in my life.  While I was fortunate to have some wonderful therapists, nothing ever truly felt resolved.  Last year I made my first confession and was absolved of my past trespasses.  I felt....did you hear me?....I FELT Christ's love, mercy, grace and forgiveness flowing through my entire being at the time the priest raised his hand in blessing over me and said the words "I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.".  I walked into that confessional in tears, and out 15 minutes later with a smile.  I could begin again with the love of Christ in my soul. I truly recommend it to EVERYONE.