杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

Confession, the Sacrament of God鈥檚 forgiveness, allows us to start again on the journey of new life that began with our Baptism, 杏MAP导航 Francis said during a penitential liturgy on Friday afternoon.

The celebration, which took place in the Roman parish of St. Pius V, kicked off the annual 鈥�24 Hours for the Lord,鈥� a Lenten initiative established by 杏MAP导航 Francis with the aim of keeping churches open throughout the day to offer opportunities for prayer and confession.

'Walking in the new life'

In his reflection at Friday鈥檚 service, 杏MAP导航 Francis focused on the theme of this year鈥檚 event, 鈥淲alking in the new life.鈥�

In the journey of our daily life, the 杏MAP导航 observed, we can often lose sight of the beauty of our new life in Christ, with harmful consequences for our relationships with God and with others.

鈥淲e remain on our way, but we need a new signpost, a change of pace, direction to help us find again the way of our Baptism, our original beauty, the sense of going forward,鈥� he said.

鈥淏rothers and sisters,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis continued, 鈥渨hat is the way to resume the path of new life? It is the way of God鈥檚 forgiveness.鈥� God鈥檚 forgiveness 鈥減uts us back together again鈥� cleanses us within, returning us to the condition of our baptismal rebirth.鈥�

But, the 杏MAP导航 said, while it is necessary for us to have open and contrite hearts 鈥� like the leper who cried out to Jesus, 鈥淚f you will, You can make me clean鈥� 鈥� our own efforts are not enough. 鈥淥nly God knows and heals the heart; only He can deliver it from evil.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis emphasized that this is what Jesus wants for us, so that we might be renewed, free, happy, and able to continue along the path of our new life.

The Sacrament at the foundation of Christian existence

鈥淟et us not grieve Him; let us not put off our encounter with His forgiveness, for only if put back on our feet by Him can we get back on the road and see the defeat of our sin, wiped out forever,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said. 鈥淟et us not forsake God鈥檚 forgiveness, the Sacrament of Reconciliation,鈥� which is not just a devotional exercise, but 鈥渢he foundation of Christian existence.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis called on those who administer the Sacrament of Confession to 鈥減ut God鈥檚 forgiveness back at the centre of the Church.鈥�

He invited priests to always grant forgiveness to those who ask for it, and to help those who might be afraid to confess their sins 鈥渢o approach the Sacrament of healing and joy with confidence.鈥�

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis reminded the faithful that Jesus can purify all our faults, inviting them to come to Confession with the prayer, 鈥淛esus, I believe you can purify. I believe I need your forgiveness. Renew me, and I will walk again in new life.鈥�