Repentance Re-Visited

Thank you for the prayers that you offered the priests of the Diocese of Salina while we were on our Clergy Renewal Days. They were very good days and very informative. In light of our readings for this weekend, it was appropriate for us, as priests, to have one day to focus on Reconciliation. We were looking at ways to get the faithful back to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Good ideas were brainstormed so hopefully they can be implemented and work on the process to get people back to experience the sacrament in a very special and beautiful way. Of course, preaching is a good way to get the message out there. We look to Jonah in our first reading, Jonah 3:1-5,10. Jonah was sent by God to preach to the city of Nineveh the need for repentance. The prophet told the people, "Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed." The people did listen to Jonah and believed what God would do and they repented. In the gospel, Mark 1:14-20, Jesus came to Galilee and proclaimed this message, "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." That is the call for all of us, we need to turn away from sin, repent, and turn back to God. For us, as Catholics, we have the beautiful Sacrament of Reconciliation and that is where the faithful can find healing, forgiveness, and grace. Let us encourage one another to return to the sacrament and continue to proclaim the Good News that God loves us unconditionally! Have a blessed weekend!!!