Luke 15:21-24
21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired men.'
22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
How special is this Word - It tells us that no matter what we do if we are truly sorry, we are forgiven!
We will be welcomed into the feast of heaven.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance, Confession) is such a great gift of grace. It takes our sins and wipes them away. God doesn't want us to dwell on these sins, He wants us to go on with life and try not to make the same mistakes. He wants us to learn and to move on.
We need to be truly sorry, show contrition for our sins and we are given the gift of forgiveness. Our heart that was ragged and dirty is now clean and new.
Should we then in turn look away from someone that has wronged us and not forgive them? No, of course not. That is part of the lesson for us - we need to forgive others as God forgives us.
God's love for us has no bounds. His Mercy Endures Forever! Amen.
