The readings for Mass today are so short. The one thing that seems to stand out in the first reading and the gospel as well though, is the overall theme of following the rules. The first reading talks about the law being a disciplinarian, and then in the gospel today, Jesus responded to the woman who called out to him that the womb that carried him was blest, by telling her:
“Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
Jesus made it pretty clear that our feelings of sentimental love alone wasn’t enough. We need to keep God’s commandments and listen to His word and observe it.
The first reading today explains why:
“Before faith came, we were held in custody under the law, confined for the faith that was to be revealed. Consequently, the law was our disciplinarian for Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a disciplinarian.”
The commandments, and the “rules” of the Catholic church were not given to us to hinder our feelings of happiness, joy and love. On the contrary, they are meant to enhance our lives and bring a more lasting, deeper joy than we can ever know by ourselves.
The commandments, the scriptures, sacraments and “rules” of the Catholic church are actually lights that light up the path to heaven, the only true path to joy, both in this life and in the life to come. We are like children, spiritually, even though we are adults. Remember when you were a little child and you were learning how to write? Did a teacher, or a parent ever take your fingers and guide you on how to draw the very first letters you ever wrote? Parents often hold their children steady on a bicycle and push them, or guide them in how a bicycle is supposed to be driven. Fathers and grandfathers will also hold a child’s hands to demonstrate how to cast a fishing line, or hit a ball with a bat, or swing a golf club.
At some point in our lives, other people guided us until we could do things for ourselves, and this is exactly what the first reading for Mass today is talking about. Someone stopped us from running into the street in the middle of traffic when we were a little child, but eventually we learned the danger that existed in a busy road for ourselves. This is what the commandments, the scriptures, sacraments and “rules” of the Catholic church are like. We do not know what is good for us, or else we become distracted from doing the things that cultivate holiness and eternal joy.
Confession is one of those things. If we don’t go to confession regularly, the weeds of our sinful inclinations can put down deep roots and then one day become a mortal sin. Going to confession is not a review of what “rules” we have broken. It is a cleansing of those sins that may prevent us from experiencing a deeper joy in our lives, and from experiencing eternal joy in heaven one day too. Neither Jesus nor his holy church wants to see this happen to any of us. But, we are too weak to consistently avoid sin on our own. The habit of regularly going to confession helps us become more aware of the patterns of sin that we need to address.
We experience much grace, through baptism, communion, but most of all confession. The graces we receive after a good sacramental confession strengthens us in righteousness, in holiness. This is what the verse in the first reading meant today that said, “you have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
Today is a good day to go to confession. When was the last time you went? That little guide to confession that you may have outside the confessional in your parish is not a checklist of “rules” that you have broken. It’s more like the lights on the path to heaven that you have put out, through your sins. But, all is not lost. Jesus can help you light those flames of the Holy Spirit in your heart, and in your soul again. Then, you can see more clearly the path before you, as you continue your journey toward your eternal home.
Daily Mass Readings:
Galatians 3: 22-29 / Psalm 105 / Luke 11: 27-28
