Reflection

At a talk I attended a few years ago I heard a man pray the confitior (the I Confess) and I was moved to tears because of the sincerity with which he prayed it.

Here we are -it’s the first Sunday of Lent – the Season of the Church’s Springtime. We are all invited to take part, to do our own inner Spring cleaning. ‘I confess to almighty God and to you my brothers and sisters…. in what I have done and in what I have failed to do…’ We usually think of things we have done that we regret but what about the things we failed to do? ….things as simple as holding the door open for someone, complimenting someone, speaking encouraging words, or maybe forgiving, being honest or loving. The list is endless.

Ask myself: In what ways can I create an atmosphere of love in my own home? In what way can I bring that love out into the community. Do the programmes I watch and the books, magazines and papers I read nourish my being?

Today’s Gospel is all about Jesus entering into temptation which as we know is part and parcel of human existence and of the things we do and fail to do. Jesus enters into the depths with us and lower even still so that he can lift us up with Himself above these temptations.

The man who prayed that Confiteor so sincerely, prayed it for himself and for the whole Church. He was a Priest.

Reflect ‘….in what I have done and in what I have failed to do….

Maybe I too can pray this Prayer with sincerity.

A.S.