For a boy to become a man, he needs to get over his fear of being rejected. And he needs to recognize that part of being a man is experiencing rejection and growing from it and through it.
Heck, even Jesus was rejected, so should we expect anything less for ourselves?
by Doug Lawrence
This reminds me of the time I had to send a serial-misbehaving, disruptive sixth-grade boy to the principal’s office.
After a heart-to-heart talk, the principal walked him back and asked me – in front of all the students – if I would let him rejoin the class.
Truth be told, I liked the young man – but for a number of very practical reasons – I just couldn’t tolerate his disruptive classroom behavior – so I was more than happy to exclaim, “We’re all Catholics here – and Catholics firmly believe in repentance and forgiveness – so sure – he can come back to class – but only if we all resolve to work together – so as to make sure this type of thing doesn’t happen again.”
As I remember, the entire class seemed to appreciate the lesson – and some of the children were actually a bit surprised.
From that day forward, “John” became my official class gofer, reader, filer, messenger, and all around utility man.
I realized that he just couldn’t tolerate sitting still, so I gave him things to do and permission to stand up and even walk around the back of the classroom – so long as he remained reasonably quiet and considerate. For him, that would not be easy!
Of course, I reserved the right to let him know when things might be getting a bit out of control.
His parents approved of our arrangement, and we had no more unfortunate, class incidents.
Many years have gone by and I occasionally run into John, at Sunday Mass.
He still can’t sit still, but he has become a bright, energetic, cheerful and polite young adult. He manages to hold down a regular job and keep the faith – and in my book, that counts for at least, ninety percent.
I always enjoy seeing him.
May God continue to bless him – along with all those who struggle to overcome their various personal “crosses” – whatever they might be – by the power of God’s grace – and with a little help from their friends.
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you:
for you are not under the law, but under grace.
Grace is the currency of Heaven … and it’s also the way God enables, empowers, and sanctifies those who love him.
Probably one of the most under-appreciated aspects of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the fact that (like all sacraments) it infuses abundant grace into the soul.
How much grace?
For the sake of argument, let’s call it “enough to replace all that had been lost, through sin … plus a little more.”
What does this mean, for Catholics who are seriously pursuing personal holiness, conversion, and ultimate perfection in Jesus Christ?
Every time you make a good confession … no matter how grievously you might have offended God, … you leave … absolved of all your sins … but also with (at least) a little more grace in your soul … than you ever had before.
Imagine what would happen,
if every time you went to the bank,
you left with more money in your account
than when you went in!
Scripture informs us that God has always empowered the weak and the infirm in this way:
2Corinthians 12:9 And he said to me:
My grace is sufficient for thee:
for power is made perfect in infirmity.
Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Regularly presenting ourselves before the Lord, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, serves to empower us to overcome any and all of our human infirmities (spiritual weaknesses, and even physical illnesses) through the sufficiency of God’s abundant grace.
Accepting this fact and acting on it (in humility and faith) not only keeps the forces of the world, the flesh, and the devil under control … but it is a sure and certain way to please God … since it also keeps us perfectly centered in his will … and his plan.
It doesn’t get any better than that, this side of Heaven!
Based on all of this, how often should a Catholic go to confession? Probably a lot more often than we do!
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The mystery
of our redemption
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The spiritually vital mission
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Our personal identity
in Jesus Christ
Download the latest Adobe PDF Reader Software for free
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In and Through Our Lord Jesus Christ
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For a boy to become a man, he needs to get over his fear of being rejected. And he needs to recognize that part of being a man is experiencing rejection and growing from it and through it. Heck, even Jesus was rejected, so should we expect anything less for ourselves?
by Doug Lawrence
This reminds me of the time I had to send a serial-misbehaving, disruptive sixth-grade boy to the principal’s office.
After a heart-to-heart talk, the principal walked him back and asked me – in front of all the students – if I would let him rejoin the class.
Truth be told, I liked the young man – but for a number of very practical reasons – I just couldn’t tolerate his disruptive classroom behavior – so I was more than happy to exclaim, “We’re all Catholics here – and Catholics firmly believe in repentance and forgiveness – so sure – he can come back to class – but only if we all resolve to work together – so as to make sure this type of thing doesn’t happen again.”
As I remember, the entire class seemed to appreciate the lesson – and some of the children were actually a bit surprised.
From that day forward, “John” became my official class gofer, reader, filer, messenger, and all around utility man. I realized that he just couldn’t tolerate sitting still, so I gave him things to do and permission to stand up and even walk around the back of the classroom – so long as he remained reasonably quiet and considerate. That would not be easy!
Of course, I reserved the right to let him know when things might be getting a bit out of control. His parents approved of our arrangement, and we had no more unfortunate class incidents.
Many years have gone by and I occasionally run into John, at Sunday Mass. He still can’t sit still, but he has become a bright, energetic, cheerful and polite young adult. He manages to hold down a regular job and keep the faith – and in my book, all of that counts for at least ninety percent.
I always enjoy seeing him.
May God continue to bless him – along with all those who struggle to overcome their various personal shortcomings – whatever they might be – by the power of God’s grace – and with a little help from their friends.
The word of God teaches us that our life on earth is warfare and the Lord reminds us that if we have decided to follow the Lord we must be prepared for combat. The Sacrament of Confirmation strengthens the Gifts of the Holy Spirit within our souls and transforms us into “Soldiers of Christ” the King. With the “Cristero” martyrs of Mexico our battle cry must be “Viva Cristo Rey!”—long live Christ the King.
An important note! The devil exists, has keen intelligence (in a perverted way), is exceedingly sly and crafty, and is constantly at work and persistent in his work— temptations. However, God, Mary, His angels and saints are far more powerful than the devil!
Two extremes must be avoided with respect to the devil. These were warnings given by the Servant of God Pope Paul VI. The first extreme to avoid is to deny that the devil exists. Indeed this is one of the tactics of the devil. On the other hand, we should never give the devil too much importance. Individuals, fearful alarmists, speak more of the power of the devil than of the Omnipotence of God Himself. Let us avoid the two extremes!
When I was a happy mother of four, seriously considering and deeply desiring another child, an odd feeling overcame me. Over several days, my excitement at the idea of a new little soul became mixed with feelings of discouragement and fear. It began to dawn on me that I was barely good enough “mommy material” for the four treasures I already had, and that any further parenting would be irresponsible. It came to a head one evening: I remember standing in my kitchen, full of fear and anxiety, telling myself that I had no business — no business! — having another baby. Not now, not ever.
All my shortcomings and sins came to the forefront of my mind, and I stood there reeling from the truth of it…
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you:
for you are not under the law, but under grace.
Grace is the currency of Heaven … and it’s also the way God enables, empowers, and sanctifies those who love him.
Probably one of the most under-appreciated aspects of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the fact that (like all sacraments) it infuses abundant grace into the soul.
How much grace?
For the sake of argument, let’s call it “enough to replace all that had been lost, through sin … plus a little more.”
What does this mean, for Catholics who are seriously pursuing personal holiness, conversion, and ultimate perfection in Jesus Christ?
Every time you make a good confession … no matter how grievously you might have offended God … you leave … absolved of all your sins … but also with (at least) a little more grace in your soul … than you ever had before.
Imagine what would happen,
if every time you went to the bank,
you left with more money in your account
than when you went in!
Scripture informs us that God has always empowered the weak and the infirm in this way:
2Corinthians 12:9 And he said to me:
My grace is sufficient for thee:
for power is made perfect in infirmity.
Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Regularly presenting ourselves before the Lord, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, serves to empower us to overcome any and all of our human infirmities (spiritual weaknesses, and even physical illnesses) through the sufficiency of God’s abundant grace.
Accepting this fact and acting on it (in humility and faith) not only keeps the forces of the world, the flesh, and the devil under control … but it is a sure and certain way to please God … since it also keeps us perfectly centered in his will … and his plan.
It doesn’t get any better than that, this side of Heaven!
Based on all of this, how often should a Catholic go to confession? Probably a lot more often than we do!
Doug Lawrence's Catholic Site 