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.

Source

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

Excuses

Our culture is full of them... excuses.  We explain why we do what we do or why we don't do something instead of saying "I'm sorry."  We teach our kids to say they're sorry at a young age but somehow it doesn't translate over to adults.  At a mission retreat this week, I heard a priest talk about this very subject and he thinks because our culture is focused on self-interest instead of interest in others, that's where we've lost the thread of accountability that leads to a sincere apology.  He also said he believes that is why the confessionals are not busy with long waiting lines.  We don't even apologize to God for our sins enough because "I was just tired" or "Our schedule is too hectic" or "I didn't sleep well last night" "I can just ask for His pardon in my heart" etc.  Catholics have a wonderful way to repent and feel refreshed by going to reconciliation to receive absolution of our sins.  It truly is refreshing to admit out loud to a priest what I am sorry for.  It's also intimidating too, but I end up feeling like a load has been taken off of my shoulders.

No excuses work with God anyways.  He's heard them all and He knows our motivation behind it because He knows our hearts better than we know ourselves.  And if you really think about it... it's incredibly insulting to Him.  He has given us E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G., including His son who died for us.  It's important to praise and thank Him yet it is more important to ask for His forgiveness.

During the retreat, the priests talked about many things but what struck me the most was I need to stop excusing my behavior and apologize for it.  So, I decided to start first with God by going to confession that evening.  Following the talk, they had 5 priests listening to confessions with long lines of people waiting to apologize for their sins.  I was in that line too to make my own apology to God for what I've done and for what I've failed to do.  It felt good!

"For I will be merciful and gracious towards their sins and I will remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more."    Hebrews 8:12

I'm linking up with Trish at L.A.C.E. this week. Whatever is...Lovely. Admirable. Cheerful. Encouraging.

Blessings,
Noreen