Forgiven

Last Lenten Season I was one of those who went to confession and I am glad I did it. After my penance, I felt as if a heavy burden was lifted up from within me. Though I am ashamed of all the sins that I have committed, I still believe I was forgiven. I’m reminded on what is said in Isaiah 1:18 “The Lord says, now let’s settle the matter. You are stained red with sin but I will wash you as clean as snow…” Indeed God is a forgiving Father. We can also find solace if we repent on our sins in what the Lord told his people in Israel in Hebrews 8:12 “I will forgive their sins and will no longer remember their wrongs.” This verse could also apply to us sinners. May we not abuse God’s forgiving nature.

When we sin we become separated from the love of God. This was stated in Isaiah 59:2 “It is because of your sins that he does not hear you. It is your sins that separate you from God when you try to worship him.” With that we should sincerely be sorry as soon as we acknowledge our sinful nature. Human as we are there are really times that we succumb to sin. When this happens may we immediately turn back to God’s loving embrace. As Bo Sanchez said in one of his e-newsletter, “You may think that your sins are unforgivable. But there is no sin that God cannot heal, no past that God cannot use, and no mistake that He cannot undo.” By that, we have a reason to celebrate after we acknowledge our sins for God won’t ever give up on us. Romans 3:23-24 says “Everyone has sinned and is far away from God’s saving presence. But by the free gift of God’s grace all are put right with him through Christ Jesus who sets them free.” And indeed through Jesus all sins are forgiven. “God offered him so that by his sacrificial death he should become the means by which people’s sins are forgiven through their faith in Him (Romans 3:25-26). All the more there is reason to be grateful to Jesus for by His death on the cross it gives us a chance to repent and be forgiven also through our faith in Him.

So, if you feel burdened because of your sins, seek God’s forgiveness. Go to confession for through the sacrament of reconciliation we celebrate God’s healing power and mercy in our midst. According to Oswald Hirmer in his book Our Joy in Being Catholic, “It is in the Sacrament of Reconciliation that a repentant sinner is forgiven and re-admitted to the Church community by the head of the community, the priest. It is for this reason that the priest raises his hands when he proclaims God’s forgiveness and mercy. This means he wants to draw the sinner back into the Christian community. By celebrating this sacrament, we renew our love for God, ask for help and are drawn closer to God.” Furthermore, Hirmer said that the disclosure of sins free us from within. It opens us to God and to our neighbors. If we admit our failing, we can make peace with others and with God. This was already the experience of the ancient people of Israel: “But now I have acknowledged my sins; my guilt I did not hide. I said: I will confess my offense to the Lord. And you, Lord have forgiven the guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:5).

Indeed, by God’s divine mercy we are forgiven. So don’t waste time, go to confession even if it’s not Lenten Season and Holy Week. Confession is good for the soul. Check your parish for the schedule. (Bing Orbeta-Robles)