“Everything that was written long ago in the scriptures was meant to teach us something about hope from the examples scripture gives of how people who did not give up were helped by God.”
By our baptism, a baptism that St John says is with the Holy Spirit and fire we are made sharers in the life of God. At our baptism God fills us with His grace and promises that, when we are faithful to Him in our lives, He will continue to fill us with the many graces that we need to prepare us for the life of Heaven. This promise that the Lord makes and His generosity should fill us with hope. Grace is God’s way of helping us in times of difficulty and in times of joy, it is the way that God helps us to keep on the straight and narrow and ultimately the way that leads to eternal life. We receive God’s grace in all manner of ways, but most especially through the sacraments. The frequent reception of Jesus Himself in the Holy Eucharist is one of the surest ways to receive the help that we need from God. God gives Himself freely to us, He asks only that we respond with faith and try each day to grow closer to Him through prayer.
St John speaks of the need for repentance. The Sacrament of Confession is at the heart of this repentance, whereby we receive the Lord’s forgiveness. Advent is a time to be aware of our need to receive the beautiful graces bestowed through this sacrament. The Lord comes to free us from sin, and so He invites us to work with Him in showing sorrow for our sins and amending our lives. Therefore, let us take the opportunity in this season of preparation to prepare a way for the Lord to enter once again into our hearts. Hearts that are free from sin and filled with grace. St Padre Pio said of Confession “Confession is the soul’s bath. Even a clean and unoccupied room gathers dust; return after a week and you will see that it needs dusting again.” Fr Chapple
Confessions at the Cathedral are on
Saturday morning 11am-noon and
Sunday evening 6pm-6:20pm.
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| Confessional |