The Rejoicing of Heaven

 

Readings 110526 

Growing up Baptist, 

Confession was not the first thing 

I embraced in my Catholic faith.. 

To be honest, 

lifelong Catholics struggle with it. 

We know 

what the Church teaches, 

yet the world keeps telling us, 

"It's not necessary." 

We know 

confession brings healing, 

yet do not realize 

how much healing we need. 

We know 

it requires humility, 

But pride resists kneeling 

before God 

and admitting our sins.

Many come to Mass every Sunday 

physically approaching the Lord

In the Blessed Sacrament,

but their hearts remain distant 

from the Lord. 

We do not recognize how lost we've become.

Jesus gives us the parable of the lost sheep. 

The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine 

and searches tirelessly 

for the one that has wandered away. 

And when he finds it, 

he rejoices and calls others 

to rejoice with him. 

Jesus says 

there is greater joy in heaven 

over one sinner who repents 

than over ninety-nine 

who have no need of repentance.

Think about that. 

Every time someone enters the confessional, 

heaven celebrates. 

The angels rejoice. 

The Good Shepherd brings another sheep home. 

Confession is not merely about admitting sin. 

It is about being found, 

being healed, 

and being welcomed back 

into the joy of God's embrace.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
give me the humility 

to seek Your mercy,
the courage 

to confess my sins,
and the grace 

to return joyfully 

to Your embrace. 

Amen.