Reconciliation-Part 2

Reconciliation – Part 2

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

         Part 1 dealt with dredging up old memories and the minor or venial offenses we have against our fellow human beings and God.  Serious or grievous offenses or grudges against God and our fellow man require a stronger remedy to repair the damage done to the soul.  That remedy is sacramental absolution.

         Serious grudges against our fellow man that cannot be patched by ourselves should be confessed.  Grudges against the Church for what a nun, priest, brother, or bishop did to us must be confessed.  When you confess these problems, you relieve the burden that your soul carries.  After those hurts have been inflicted on a soul, a soul may tend to rebel against the one who afflicted them.  This is especially true if the Church or one of its ministers (nun, priest, deacon, brother, or bishop) has inflicted pain on a soul.  The Church must reach these souls with absolution. 

         Yes, a soul may have good reason to rebel against the Church for past treatment, but that animosity must be put aside so that sacramental absolution may flood the soul with actual and sanctifying graces finally bringing the peace of Jesus Christ to the soul.  In a previous article this month entitled, “A Year Of Prayer”, I wrote that we must all pray for one another.  We are all connected by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Offer prayers to God that all rebellion against the Church and each other should cease.  When you rebel against the Church, you rebel against Jesus Christ.  Jesus taught this when he called Saul away from persecuting the Church to preaching the Gospel on the road to Damascus.

         Whenever anyone disciplines another soul, it should be done with love and gentleness, always remembering the dignity of a fellow human being.  Cruelty is not acceptable.  We must also remember that all of us are sinners and fall far short of the glory of God.  Also, do not wait to be reconciled with the Church or one another.  No human being is guaranteed another moment of life.  Be reconciled now while you still live on this earth.  Why take that excess baggage to the judgment seat of Christ?  At the end of our life we must meet with almighty God face to face and give an accounting of our stewardship while here on earth.  You will never be allowed into paradise with a mess of grudges on your soul. Remember also, that Jesus forgave his murderers from the cross and canonized the first saint from the cross. His name was Dismas, the good thief.  As the Gospel of John tells us, Jesus is the sheep gate.  We must all pass through Him before we entering paradise.  This is why we live in peace with God, the Church, and our fellow human beings.

        Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe.  Deo Gratias.  Gloria Tibi Domini.  Praise be to God.  See you in Paradise. Amen.