First Sunday of Lent ©

INTRO:

BLESS ME FATHER FOR I HAVE SINNED………

I heard a story from a priest friend who said to a child….
“For your penance, please say TWO Our Fathers.”
Bug-eyed scared, the child said……
“TWO Our Fathers??? But I only know ONE!!!

Today I want to tell you that confession can be a rewarding experience.
I have seen the big smile.
I have witnessed the expression of relief.

Lent is a season for confession and personal conversion. And going to confession can help that process of personal conversion.

Going into the second grade, I asked the children…. “Why do you have to go to confession?”

ANSWER: We must turn ourselves into God!

It was like that WILD WILD WEST IMAGE……I am turning myself in!
Some may say: “At my age, why do I have to turn myself in, or have a personal conversion? I am o-kay.”

We never want to become complacent regarding our growth before the Lord. We always want to become a better version of ourselves.
Today we hear about Jesus having gone into the desert for 40 days. He sought out a time to assist him in his own personal conversion; his turning toward the Lord to follow God’s ways. He is showing us that we should do the same.

So, our church offers you this message: plan an afternoon during the LENTEN season to come to church for a confession.
OR
COME to IHM (or any Catholic church for that matter) on WEDNESDAY, March 19th from 5pm until 8pm and experience a confession. Priests are asked to be available in the confessional throughout those hours on that specific day to aid Catholics in their personal conversion.

CONCLUSION

Yes, Confession can be a frightening experience, but more-so it IS A REWARDING ONE! …….. Putting the past into the past. Making a firm commitment to go forward as a newer person in the Lord.