A Confessional Christmas

Advent is a time for joy as we wait in expectation of celebrating our Saviors birth on the 25th of December. Though our hearts are alight with joy and good wishes which is only right. We must not forget to also open our hearts and minds to The Holy Spirit.

It is during Advent that we can use this most Holy Season to reflect on the year that is coming to an end.

Just as we peel an orange in order to eat it so too we must peel away our own superficialities which we hide behind in order to camouflage what we dont want to face.

Is it time for some spiritual surgery?

We need to examine our conscience in line with God's Commandments and the Tenets of our Great Church. As we examine our conscience we need to pray for the help of the Paraclete to bring forth our mistakes, our sins.

Living in deliberate forgetfulness is no excuse to ignore what will Heal our wounds. As St Augustine said, "God cannot deliver us unless we first undeceive ourselves."

Let us therefore go to our Lord in the Sacrament of Penance with our souls full of contrition for our disobedience. While we keep our hearts full of hope that only in this most beautiful Sacrament will our relationship with God be restored.

Have you thought about Confession during this most Joyous of Seasons?

As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God. My being thirsts for God, the living God. When can I go and see the face of God? (Psalm 42:2-3)