Today’s readings had me reflecting on God’s infinite love for us, for He gave His life to save us from sin. During certain times of our life, we may enter into a dark stage when we see our own needs above all else. We distance ourselves from God and stop going to Mass and confession, and don’t obey the Commandments.
At one point in my life, I missed Mass several times a year. I didn’t receive Communion and I didn’t dare to go to confession because I preferred to work overtime. I also didn’t look up Mass times at other parishes, which reminded me of the first reading when it said “To those in darkness.” I thought I didn’t deserve God’s forgiveness. By not putting Him first in my life, I felt I had betrayed Him. I carried an enormous burden on my shoulders through my own fault, and I thought I deserved the worst punishment.
It took me several weeks to muster up the courage to go to confession. It wasn’t easy, and I was ashamed to say everything I had to say, but after I received absolution, I was a free man. The burden I had been carrying was gone, and that’s because “The Lord is gracious and merciful,” as the Responsorial Psalm says. I returned to God’s embrace, began following His teachings once again and continued believing that He is the salvation of life, not money.
The Gospel says, “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life.” I felt like this is what happened to me. We are all sinful beings because only God is perfect, but confession opens the door for us to continue hearing His Word. We go from being dead while still alive to having the light of hope by living in union with God once again.
If you are far away from God right now, find the courage to go to confession, whatever your sins may be. Come out of the darkness. God is merciful and is waiting for you with open arms and infinite love.
Las lecturas de hoy me hicieron reflexionar sobre el amor infinito de Dios hacia nosotros, que dio su vida para salvarnos del pecado. Durante ciertas etapas de la vida entramos en tinieblas donde sólo nos permite ver nuestras necesidades primero, lo cual nos aleja de Dios, como no ir a misa, no confesarse y no obedecer los mandamientos.
En un momento de mi vida falte a misa varias veces al año. No recibía la comunión y no me atrevía a confesar porque prefería trabajar horas extras. Tampoco buscaba horarios de las misas en otras parroquias, lo cual me hizo acordar en la primera lectura, “A los que están en tinieblas”. Pensaba que no merecía el perdón de Dios. Al no ponerlo primero en vida, sentía que lo había traicionado. Llevaba una enorme carga en mi espalda por mi propia culpa y pensé que merecía la peor condena.
Me demoré varias semanas en armarme de valor para irme a confesar. No fue fácil, y hasta sentí vergüenza decir todo lo que tenía que decir, pero después que me dieron la absolución fui un hombre libre. La carga que tenía se había ido y es porque “El Señor es compasivo y misericordioso”, como dice el Salmo Responsorial. Volví a los brazos de Dios nuevamente para seguir sus enseñanzas y seguir creyendo que Él es la salvación de la vida y no el dinero.
El evangelio dice “Yo les aseguro que, quien escucha mi palabra y cree en el que me envió, tiene vida eterna y no será condenado en el juicio, porque ya pasó de la muerte a la vida”. Sentí que eso me pasaba a mi. Todos somos seres pecadores porque el único perfecto es Dios, pero la confesión nos abre esa puerta para seguir escuchando su palabra. Pasamos de estar muertos en vida a tener esa luz de esperanza al volver a vivir junto a Dios.
Si estás alejado de Dios en este momento, toma el valor de ir a confesarte sea cual sea el pecado o pecados que tengas. Sal de esas tinieblas. Dios es misericordioso y te está esperando con los brazos abiertos y con un amor infinito.
Felix Urcia was born in Lima, Peru. He moved the U.S. to complete his college degree in Computer Science at Northern Kentucky University. He is passionate about his faith, his family, education and soccer. When he is not homeschooling and caring for his young children he enjoys personal programing projects and sports analysis. He and wife live in a small town in Western Michigan where they enjoy spending time with their five children.
Feature Image Credit: Saint John’s Seminary, unsplash.com/photos/a-statue-of-jesus-in-a-church-setting-Ww38gjbjgto
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
1-800-994-9817