A reading from 2 Peter 3:12-15A, 17-18
Beloved: Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire. But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace. And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation. Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
REFLECTION: "Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace."
Have you been able to attend Mass again since the quarantine started?
It seems incredible to me that only a month ago we were still not allowed to attend Mass or receive many of the sacraments during that period.
Still, many brave priests, with the permission of their Bishops, started giving the sacrament of reconciliation in "open space" places such as the church parking lot.
At first it was very easy to receive the sacrament of confession since there was nobody else showing up. And little by little, more people started to be brave and showed up.
This is not like it was 6 months ago, when the confessionals would not be as packed.
Once public Masses and all the other Sacraments have been allowed to be received with the sanitary precautions prescribed by the authorities, the confessional lines exceed an hour wait per day.
The only other time I've seen lines so long is when they do parish-wide penitential services.
And these lines are pretty steady, day after day.
Why?
I believe the Holy Spirit has been moving us. The two month fasting from the Eucharist really helped us appreciate more what God has to offer us at the Altar.
Also, the fear of dying of covid-19 really helped us get in touch with our souls. It has given us time to reflect who we are and what our relationship with God truly is. Because of this our prayer life is better. Many of us want to be closer to God.
Saint Peter is exhorting us to be ready all the time. And while we wait, we work on being found without blemish. It is a struggle; we are only human. And we try. And Jesus in the priest waits for us at the confessional, again to forgive us and help us start over.
Please pray the PAPA prayer for all our confessors that the Sacred Heart of Jesus always lives in their hearts. This is especially important as the month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
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