Thursday, December 27, 2012

Mom, You Lead a Sinless Life

The week before Christmas, my son and I attended a Novena to St. Stephen at our church.  We didn't make it every night but we did the most that our schedule allowed.  One night while driving home my son asked me very seriously,  "Mom, what sins do you wrestle with?"  It took me by surprise but I did mention one or two and he said "No, Mom, that's not really a sin.  You lead a pretty sinless life."  I smiled but quickly corrected him that I am indeed sinful.  That just because he doesn't hear or see me sinning doesn't mean I don't sin.  He may not be aware of it and I reminded him that we sin in our thoughts as well.
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He wasn't convinced though until after the next evening novena service.  It included Reconciliation Services.  Our church had 6 different priests and my son went to one priest and I another.

On our way home, he asked what penance I was given and I said "my priest instructed me to pray a rosary for those who will be lonely this Christmas Season and have no one to pray for them."

He was shocked and said "I was told to pray 2 Hail Mary's for my sins."

After a minute or two, he then said, "Gosh Mom, what did you confess that you had to pray a full rosary?"

I guess in my son's eyes, my status as a saint has diminished!


Blessings,
Noreen

15 comments:

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    1. I know, I tried not to chuckle in front of him but he caught me!

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  2. At my last Confession the priest told me to pray five Hail Mary's. I asked him why, considering the previous week, with the same sins, he told me to pray only three Hail Mary's.

    He replied "Inflation!"

    God bless you and yours, Noreen.

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    1. haha...your priest has a great sense of humor Victor!

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  3. What a powerful conversation! An amazing conversation you had (with a cute ending!) Don't you love God's sense of humor :)

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    1. Absolutely do Patty. I don't think it's healthy for my son to think I'm sinless so, this lesson was needed.

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  4. Noreen,

    What a great story! I love having such conversations with my children. Like you, I was once given a whole Rosary for my penance. I wonder if your priest was thinking more about the lonely who needed prayers this Christmas rather than the size of your sins, when he gave you that penance. I also wonder which priest you and your son will choose to confess to next time you go to the 2nd rite of reconciliation!!

    God bless!

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    1. I think that was exactly his point. My priest wanted my focus off of my hurt and anger; and put towards others. I've been feeling called more and more to pray for those who have no one to pray for them. For those on earth and in purgatory. I took it as confirmation by the Holy Spirit to keep praying for others.

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  5. First of all....Thank you for sharing this! What a blessing that you were able to have this conversation with your son. I bet it will be inprinted on his mind and heart for a very long time. God is so good!

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    1. I pray also that it will. My son is at an important age of adolescence and I'm praying he stays on the right path.

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  6. That is such a cute story...I just love that God gave us children to keep us humble! Merry Christmas and God bless you always, dear sinless Mama;-)

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  7. this is so sweet. when our children say things like your son did, don't you just fill to the brim with joy !

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    1. I did feel joy about it. More that he was able to learn that no one is sinless (especially his mom) and that we all need to do penance to be truly forgiven for our sins. Takes us from self-absorption to outward focus.

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  8. Lol - I had to smile reading this! I love the things that kids say! God bless you, O Great Sinless One ;) (Well, you got to be sinless for a short while anyway!)

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