The robe, the ring and the sandals

     Our beloved good priest, Father Redinger, had the most wonderful sermon this morning. My favorite parable from Jesus was in the readings today and he gave us all, once again, excellent food for thought. He described the meaning of the symbols of the robe, the ring and the sandals. The three things the father placed on the son after his return from a life of squandering. I never contemplated before the symbolic meanings of these three items but I won't ever forget them now as he described the robe as a symbol of wealth, the ring as a symbol of family and the sandals to which on the barefoot son symbolized that he could walk now wherever he wanted. God, trusting that we always can return back to him in our journey of Life places sandals on our feet. A robe of Glory He places around our shoulders after becoming cleansed from our sins and saying that we are sorry. A ring on our finger to symbolize the family symbol which is our Catholic faith and family. 

     The other son not recognizing that he already had these things in his possession was angry at the father because he had considered himself always loyal and faithful. Sometimes we can lose sight of the gifts set before us and like the good father, he reminded the angry son, all of those things had always been there for him, but to recognize that his brother had been dead and was brought back to life. Father Redinger stressed that this is what confession does to the soul every time God, elated of are returning, places a robe, a ring and sandals on our feet and throws our past away and rejoices at our return. 

     Just think of what confession does for our souls. It renews, refreshes and feeds us with a fatted calf. When we return to our Father, meaning every word we say within those confessional walls is like coming back from the dead and rising to New Life. 

     Some may argue, "why do you have to go to a priest?", "why the confessional?". In the intimacy of those four walls and Jesus taking the place of the priest, it is an honorable and Holy encounter. Just like returning from a journey of sin into the cleansing waters of forgiveness. Being dead and coming back to life.

     Jesus awaits to place the robe, the ring and the sandals on our feet. What are you waiting for? Go and refresh your soul in the sweet Sacrament of Confession and forgiveness. Our Father is waiting for us on the horizon.