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December 4, 2020Sometimes it seems like the warning that Jesus will come again is like the Shepherd boy who cried, “wolf!” He did so twice when there was no wolf laughing at the villagers who came to his rescue. Then, when there really was a wolf, he cried out and no one came. The wolf scattered the sheep. It can seem like the Church has been echoing the cry of John the Baptist, “Repent! The end is near!” Yet, it has not come. Why? Do we cease to listen like the villagers?
St. Peter tells us, “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard ‘delay,’ but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pt 3:9). God is patient as we struggle to repent and be ready for the return of the Lord. God is patient!
I went to confession this week. I find that when I go at least monthly I am more aware of my sins, the ways of my heart that are not a highway for God (Is 40:3). Sometimes I realize there are road blocks, rumple strips or potholes. Praying and going to confession helps me to see these things more clearly and to ask God to change my heart. It is a way to ask God to rend the heavens and come down as we heard last week from Isaiah. Everyone will have a chance to go to confession during Advent. Our Reconciliation Service will be on December 14. Our neighboring parishes will also be having reconciliation services which we will publish in the bulletin. Will you be like to villagers who have grown deaf to the cry of the shepherd?