RBWords

     "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.  I can't remember when my last confession was because it was years ago!"  I hear those words frequently in my preaching of parish missions around the country.  The first thing I say when I hear them is "Welcome back!"  The gospel scripture today is the parable of the "Prodigal Son" (or, depending on how you look at it, "the Forgiving Father" or the "Unforgiving Brother.").  Jesus tells this parable in response to criticism from the scribes and Pharisees that he "welcomes sinners and eats with them!"  I wish the current format of the Sacrament of Reconciliation had some way of being more "welcoming" instead of being so "judicial" and formal.  The parable of the Prodigal Son is actually the third of three parables that Jesus uses in responding.  The first two are more brief and involve lost sheep and a lost coin.  In all three parables, however, there is mention of rejoicing that the lost item (person) has been found!  Indeed, if the finding of a lost sheep or a lost coin can be the occasion of rejoicing, how much more should our rejoicing be over the recovery of someone lost to Christ and the faith!

     The Sacrament of Reconciliation is meant to do exactly that!  It is a reunion, not a verdict!  It is meant for restoration, not neurotic relief!  The "prodigal son" returns to joy on the part of his father and the whole village.  Only the older brother objects but even he experiences his Father coming out to him to beg him to join in the rejoicing!  Although the older brother is very likely a symbol of the disapproving scribes and Pharisees, he may represent more than that.  We should ask ourselves (especially those of us who administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation - I'd like to think we could do more than just 'hear confessions.') indeed how forgiving and welcoming we are?  Perhaps the Church could also do some thinking and find a way to make the Sacrament of Reconciliation less somber and judgmental in its "celebration" while preserving the very necessary confidentiality.  It will not be easy to overcome the centuries of distortion and list-making that have come to characterize the experience of sacramental reconciliation.  Even the modest reforms of the Second Vatican Council which in individual instances calls for the reading of scripture at the beginning have failed to take hold.  (The average penitent doesn't give me time to do it!  They plunge right in with "Bless me, Father, etc.)

     God's mercy is a great reason for rejoicing when we realize that our own strict notions of fairness might cause more harm than good.  Punishment and even revenge are always lurking about.  The Father will come out to welcome us if we will just give him the opportunity!   AMEN