Sunday, October 28, 2007

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Jesus said: “My people, in today’s Gospel the tax collector said: ‘Lord, have mercy on Me, a sinner.’ These words of humility before Me were more heartfelt than the Pharisee who was exalting himself as being better than other sinners. It is right to give Me thanks for all of your gifts of faith and any worldly gifts, but it is more important to have humility in admitting that you are sinners as well. If you truly admit that you are sinners, then you will be drawn at least monthly to come to Me in the priest to confess your sins and ask for My forgiveness. This vision of a long line for Confession is becoming more of a rarity because as you have seen very few avail themselves of this opportunity to confess their sins. Pray that more of the faithful will come to Confession, even to confess their venial sins if they do not have mortal sins. I know you are all good people because I created you, but you also have inherited the weakness of Adam and you are all sinners. When you make an effort to come to Confession, this is truly an act of humility as well because it can be hard for someone to admit their sins to a priest. But I am always awaiting your visit so I can forgive you your sins and put life in your soul with My sanctifying grace. Remain in humble submission to My Will and follow My Commandments and My mission for your life. Truly you need to share your time, talent, and money with Me and your neighbor out of love for Me. The last line of the Gospel is one to live by: ‘He, who humbles himself, will be exalted, but he, who exalts himself, will be humbled.’”