During Lent, Pope Francis offers tips for preparing for Confession as we are encouraged to participate in the Sacrament, particularly in this season. As Pope Francis said: “We find peace, relief when we judge ourselves rather than others. ‘Who am I to judge’ is recognizing our sin, having mercy on others”. When we point a finger at someone, there are three fingers pointing back at us. Pope Francis posed the following questions in his recent booklet, Safeguard your Heart:
  • Do I only turn to God when I’m in need?
  • Do I take attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation?
  • Do I begin and end the day with prayer?
  • Am I embarrassed to show that I am a Christian?
  • Do I rebel against God’s plan?
  • Am I envious, hot-tempered, biased?
  • Am I honest and fair with everyone or do I fuel the “throwaway culture?”
  • In my marital and family relations, do I uphold morality as taught in the Gospels?
  • Do I honor and respect my parents?
  • Have I refused newly conceived life? Have I snuffed out the gift of life? Have I helped do so?
  • Do I respect the environment?
  • Am I part worldly and part believer?
  • Do I overdo it with eating, drinking, smoking and amusements?
  • Am I overly concerned about my physical well-being, my possessions?
  • How do I use my time? Am I lazy?
  • Do I want to be served?
  • Do I dream of revenge, hold grudges?
  • Am I meek, humble and a builder of peace?
(Source: http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1500884.htm) This week:
  • Reflect on the questions above during the Lenten season and ask God for the strength to think and act on doing the right thing.
  • Think of one thing you would really like to change or improve on this Lent, and three things you could do to bring about this change.
  • Try and go to confession this week, as Pope Francis said: “Confession is meant to be a sincere moment of conversion, an occasion to demonstrate trust in God’s willingness to forgive his children and to help them back on the path of following Jesus”.